Vin+ 3,121 Posted October 11, 2013 http://hosted.stats.com/fb/preview.asp?g=20131013020&home=20&vis=23 (AP) -- Coming off what could be a defining effort in his young career, the New York Jets' Geno Smith hopes to take the next step in his development by putting up consecutive strong performances. Facing a defense that hasn't had a takeaway, Smith might be up to the task against the winless Pittsburgh Steelers. The Jets look to continue their surprising start and remain undefeated at home Sunday when they try to extend Pittsburgh's worst start in 45 years. Smith helped New York (3-2) notch its best start since 2010 on Monday night, completing 16 of 20 passes for 199 yards and a career-best three touchdowns in a dramatic 30-28 victory in Atlanta. After the Falcons went ahead with 1:54 to play, Smith connected on four straight passes and added an 8-yard run to set up Nick Folk's game-winning field goal on the final play. The rookie was tied for the NFL lead with 11 turnovers, including eight interceptions, but didn't have one Monday and completed a season-best 80.0 percent of his passes despite being sacked four times. "It was a tremendous game for him without question," coach Rex Ryan said. Smith and the Jets, though, have followed each of their previous two wins with a loss. He's completed 64.4 percent of his attempts with six touchdowns and three interceptions in three victories, compared to 55.1 percent with one score and five picks in two losses. However, both defeats came on the road, and New York has gone 2-0 at home. With former starter Mark Sanchez out of the picture following season-ending shoulder surgery, Smith appears to be the future of a franchise that has posted back-to-back wins only once in its last 24 games. "I got a memo from the league, and they said we can win two games in a row," Ryan joked. "I think that's going to be what I talk to our team about." The Steelers (0-4) are just looking for one win following their bye week, off to their worst start since opening 0-6 in 1968. They'll have a different look defensively, with defensive end Cameron Heyward starting while rookie Vince Williams lines up alongside Lawrence Timmons at inside linebacker. Despite being 10th in total defense with 321.8 yards allowed per game, Pittsburgh is the only team in the league yet to create a turnover. The Steelers' minus-11 turnover differential is second-worst only to the New York Giants and their four sacks are the NFL's fewest. "I like the attitude, demeanor and approach to work that the guys have taken," coach Mike Tomlin said. "That's just part of the equation. Obviously, putting it together and producing victory is the most significant part of the equation." After missing the first three games with a foot injury, rookie Le'Veon Bell hopes to keep giving Pittsburgh's sluggish running game a lift. He finished with 57 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries in his debut, a 34-27 loss to Minnesota in London on Sept. 29, and his workload figures to increase against the Jets. Bell is likely to have at least one and perhaps two new faces in front of him. With struggling Mike Adams heading to the bench, Kelvin Beachum and newly acquired Levi Brown are expected to see action at left tackle. Guard Ramon Foster remains bothered by a strained pectoral muscle and his status is uncertain. If Foster can't go, Brown will likely start at left tackle, with the versatile Beachum replacing Foster. They'll try to provide better protection for Ben Roethlisberger, who was sacked five times by the Vikings and has been dropped 15 times on the season. That's tied for fourth-most in the NFL despite Pittsburgh having played one fewer game than most teams. Roethlisberger has thrown for 789 yards and three touchdowns in the last two games but has six turnovers in that span. He connected on 24 of 31 attempts for 275 yards and two scores without an interception in a 27-10 victory over the Jets on Sept. 16, 2012, in the teams' last matchup. He'll face a New York defense ranked second in the league, allowing 299.0 yards per game. The Jets, though, suffered a big loss Monday when outside linebacker Antwan Barnes went down with a season-ending knee injury. This is New York's first home meeting with the Steelers since a 19-16 victory in 2007. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KempBolt 498 Posted October 11, 2013 16 20 Low scoring affair, but I like the Jets to win due to their control of the LOS. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cheese Head 11 Posted October 11, 2013 Geno Smith surprised me in there last game. Steelers: 16 Jets: 20 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted October 11, 2013 If Geno can play mistake free football, the Jets will carry him to wins. It worked when Sanchez wasn't screwing up, it'll work for Geno. Normally that's a tough task against the Steelers, but this year? It's in the Jets favour. 24 19 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 12, 2013 21-20 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025 Posted October 12, 2013 27 19 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch 874 Posted October 12, 2013 (edited) This was the most conflicting matchup to pick for. I have a feeling that Dick Lebeaus Steelers defense will come alive against the rookie QB Geno smith. It will be interesting to see if Geno and Marty Mornhinweg can put something together like they did last week against the Falcons. When I begin this post, I had the Jets in mind but as I continued typing, I think the Steelers come away with their first win here. 24 13 Edited October 12, 2013 by dutchff7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theMileHighGuy 656 Posted October 13, 2013 Geno is going to shred this pathetic team that once called themselves the Steelers. (actually the defense will probably win it for him) 21 14 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted October 13, 2013 Steelers declared RB Isaac Redman inactive for Sunday's Week 6 game against the Jets. With Le'Veon Bell (foot) 100 percent, Redman is a healthy scratch as the No. 4 running back. There are no surprises on the rest of the Steelers inactive list: QB Landry Jones, WR Markus Wheaton (finger surgery), OT Mike Adams, C/G Cody Wallace, NT Loni Fangupo and LB Chris Carter. Jets declared WR Santonio Holmes (hamstring) inactive for Sunday's Week 6 game against the Steelers, as expected. The hamstring pull Holmes sustained in Week 4 is at least of the Grade 2 variety. He doesn't appear close to a return. Jeremy Kerley and Stephen Hill will be the Jets top-two wideout in this one. The rest of their inactives: QB Brady Quinn, CB Dee Milliner, LB Troy Davis, G Will Campbell, G Ben Ijalana and T Oday Aboushi. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DBR96A 87 Posted October 14, 2013 QUIET, BITCHES!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch 874 Posted October 14, 2013 Dick Lebeau defense > rookie QBs. That's just a fact. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
