Throughout the season, NewYorkJets.com will provide a Stock Report focusing on the Jets' upcoming matchup.
This week's report features players and/or themes that are trending before the Green & White take on the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on "Sunday Night Football."
📈 Garrett Wilson
Garrett Wilson has been on a tear over the last two weeks. Over that span, he leads the league with 21 receptions, he's fourth with 208 receiving yards and is tied for second with 2 touchdowns. Wilson, whose 41 catches this season are the second most in the league, is the first Jet with at least 100 receiving yards and a touchdown in consecutive games since Brandon Marshall in 2015.
"Just playing the game that I love and appreciate," Wilson said. "All of a sudden, the ball starts coming your way a little more. That's really all it is. I feel like me and Aaron [Rodgers] are still learning every week and every week we should be a little better than we were the week before. Otherwise, we're not going about stuff the right way, not approaching the practice week the right way. I think that's all it is and hopefully we keep this thing rolling and spread the ball around, but hopefully it starts translating to winning games."
📈 Steelers Defense
Pittsburgh has the league's No. 8 overall defense that ranks top five in rushing yards allowed per game (No. 4), points allowed per game (No. 2) and takeaways (T-5).
The unit is headlined by pass rusher T.J. Watt, the NFL's sacks leader in 2020, 2021 and 2023. The former Defensive Player of the Year and four-time first-team All-Pro has 101 career sacks and 30 forced fumbles. Each lead the NFL since 2016, which is the year before he was drafted out of Wisconsin, but his 4.5 sacks this season are tied for No. 11. His 3 forced fumbles rank No. 2.
"It goes back to moving the target," Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said. "Sometimes chipping them, sometimes sifting them, sometimes cutting them and just keeping him off-balance. He's a game wrecker as we all know. He's one of the best players, one of the best defensive players in this league and he's a generational talent. You've got to account for him every single play."
📉 Jets Secondary Health
The Jets secondary is banged up heading into Week 7. Starting CB D.J. Reed sustained a groin injury against the Bills and nickel Michael Carter II (back) did not play last week. Neither participated in Wednesday's walk through.
Safety Chuck Clark was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, which requires him to miss the next four games. That could mean an increased role for Isaiah Oliver, Ashtyn Davis and Jalen Mills, who was called up from the practice squad for Monday's game.
"We're fortunate to have great depth at that position," Jeff Ulbrich said. "We are. So as much as that can give you some angst, it's also exciting from the standpoint you give another guy an opportunity. We've been so fortunate this year to have Isaiah Oliver. He is the Swiss Army Knife back there. He's been able to play safety, nickel and corner without blinking. He's doing a good job."
📉 Jets Red Zone and Third Down
The Jets' red zone struggles were highlighted this past Monday as they converted on 1 of 4 as the offense's 33.3 red zone TD percentage is tied for the third-worst mark since Week 4. The Green & White, however, started the season hot in the red area and converted on 75% in the first three weeks, which was tied for the third-best mark in the NFL.
After leading the league in Weeks 1-3 with a 56.8% third-down rate, the Jets rank No. 28 since. They're 13 of 46 (28.3%) over the last three games and 4 of Aaron Rodgers' 5 interceptions this season have come on third down.
