Throughout the regular season, NewYorkJets.com reporters Eric Allen, Ethan Greenberg, Randy Lange, Caroline Hendershot and John Pullano will give their responses to a series of questions regarding this year's Jets.
Today's question: What do you expect from the Jets' offense with WR Davante Adams vs. the Steelers?
EA: Davante Adams will make the Jets a more complete offense. The explosives – 8 plays of 20-plus+ yards and 15 plays of 10-plus+ yards – against the Bills were encouraging. But the Jets finished 1 of 4 in the red zone and would have been held to 13 points sans Rodgers' fourth career Hail Mary TD, which went to Allen Lazard at the end of the first half. The Steelers have a better defense than the Bills. They rank No. 8 in total defense (294.2 yds/g), No. 2 in rush yards/play (3.59) and are T5 in takeaways with 11, plus they have one of the league's best players in T.J. Watt. I expect Adams to make an immediate impact Sunday night, and he'll have several receptions while freeing up others with space. The Jets will be better in the red zone over these final 11 games and defenses will have the unenviable decision what to do with their safeties whether in coverage or down in the box. The Steelers have allowed 20-plus+ points in just 2 games and they've lost both. If the Jets get to 24, they'll win, but Pittsburgh promises to be a tough out.
EG: I expect the passing game to be more effective than the rushing game Sunday for two reasons. The first is the addition of Davante Adams and the second is the Steelers have one of the league's best rush defenses. Pittsburgh ranks No. 4 against the run and No. 2 in yards per rush. Through six games this season, the Steelers' defense has held its opponent's leading rusher to under 45 yards three times and it hasn't allowed more than 88 yards on the ground to a single player this season. The addition of Adams certainly puts stress on defenses in terms of who to devote the most attention to -- Adams, WR Garrett Wilson or RB Breece Hall -- and I do expect his addition to lead to a more efficient execution. The Jets have shown they can be effective on third down and in the red zone despite their recent struggles and with this pick-your-poison situation where teams must decide whom to key in on, it will open opportunities for the other players. Wilson and Adams are proven commodities when lining up against one-on-one coverage and teams won't be able to double both players.
RL: It depends upon how much Davante Adams plays. As IHC Jeff Ulbrich said about whether his hamstring or his recent arrival might hold him back more on Sunday night, "I would imagine a little bit of both." But if Adams does see some significant snaps, he could make a quick impact in his new shade of green. Drawing those double teams off Garrett Wilson because of Adams' similar game-breaking skills could loosen the coverage on all the Jets' wideouts and tight ends. Even if Adams' reps are limited, I'd expect to see the new No. 17 when the Green & White get inside the Black & Gold 20. As Aaron Rodgers has said: "Tae's been a monster in the red zone over the years, a lot of on-schedule and off-schedule touchdowns." The Jets had been doing well in the RZ until going 1 of 4 vs. Buffalo, while Pittsburgh is 3third in the NFL in RZ defense. So if the visitors want to post a major primetime rebound road victory, they could turn to Adams where he has felt at home for some time now — his 67 career red zone TD catches are tops among all WRs since 2010.
CH: While it's unclear how many snaps Davante Adams will take on Sunday against the Steelers, I expect him to be an integral part of the offense. From all the history and success he and QB Aaron Rodgers have had, I expect them to pick up from where they left off in 2021. Whether it's getting the ball or helping the other receivers on the field with their routes or communication with Rodgers, I expect Adams to help the Jets offense immensely. I also expect there to be better opportunities for WR Garrett Wilson to get the ball. Typically, Wilson is double teamed by defenders. However, with the addition of Adams, defenses will now have to pick how they want to defend both receivers at the same time. Over the last two weeks Wilson has led the league in receptions, is fourth in yards and tied for second in touchdowns. I can only imagine how much his production will improve when defenders are forced to cover Adams as well.
JP: Davante Adams described the days leading up to his trade to New York and the days after as a "rollercoaster." That rollercoaster is likely to come to a end when the Jets travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers on Sunday and Adams is able to elevate a Jets offense that is missing just one thing, an ability to finish in the red zone. It is not that the offense has been bad near the goal line, in fact it scored a TD on 6 of its first 8 trips to the red zone to begin the year, but the Jets have been inconsistent as a of late, failing to reach paydirt on 33.3% of their red zone trips since Week 4. Adams has been a savant in the red zone the last four seasons (2 in Green Bay and 2 in Las Vegas). From 2020 to 2023, Adams led the NFL in red zone receptions (67) and red zone touchdowns (34). And in 2021, he caught a league-leading 14 red zone touchdowns, the next closest had 9. The Jets gained 393 yards against the Bills in Week 6, their second highest total this season, but struggled to convert resulting in field-goal attempts that kept Buffalo in the game. I expect Adams to help the Jets turn those 3s into 6s and have the offense looking the best it has this season.
