NFL picks, predictions Week 1: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New York Jets

Mike Moraitis

NFL picks, predictions Week 1: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New York Jets image

Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Steelers open up their 2025 season with an interesting matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium that has multiple fun storylines.

Aaron Rodgers will be making his return to New York after two failed seasons in the Big Apple. Rodgers has downplayed the revenge angle, but rest assured he wants to stick it to his old team.

“A lot has changed over there, coaching staff-wise, player-wise. Obviously, I have friendships over there, but it’s one game out of 17, and at 5 o’clock Eastern on that Sunday, it’s only going to be on to the next game. So that’s just the way it is,” Rodgers said of facing his old team.

On the other sideline, Justin Fields will also be squaring off against his old team after briefly serving as Pittsburgh's starter in 2024 before he gave way to Russell Wilson.

Like, Rodgers, Fields hasn't made a big deal about the revenge aspect of this game.

"That's who we play Week 1. There really wasn't a thought to that," Fields said of the game against the Steelers earlier this offseason.

Will Aaron Glenn get his head-coaching career off to a positive start? Or will the Steelers nab an early road win to get their season off on the right foot?

Let's see what experts are predicting.

Steelers-Jets picks, predictions for Week 1

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Steelers 27, Jets 14

Iyer: "The Steelers are hoping to squeeze one last big season from Aaron Rogers and it helps the former Jets QB have a bigger chip on his shoulder than his counterpart, former Steelers QB Justin Fields. Rodgers will go to work on a familiar defense while Fields faces the pass defense wrath of T.J. Watt and Jalen Ramsey."

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Steelers 28, Jets 19

Bender: "Aaron Rodgers' first start in Pittsburgh is against his former team – where he was 5-12 as a starter last season. Justin Fields is up against his former team, too,, and Aaron Glenn is making his debut with the Jets. The matchup between DK Metcalf and Sauce Gardner on the perimeter is high-level entertainment, too. These teams have split the last two meetings at Pittsburgh, but the Steelers hammered New York 37-15 last season. Rodgers will get a win from the other sideline."

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Steelers 20, Jets 17

Cluff: "Aaron Rodgers is the quarterback in Pittsburgh, for now, and Justin Fields is the QB of Rodgers' old team in New York, making this an intriguing matchup. It will be an ugly one."

John Breech, CBS Sports: Steelers 24, Jets 13

ESPN

Matt Bowen: Steelers

Mike Clay: Steelers

Kalyn Kahler: Steelers

Seth Wickersham: Steelers

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Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis is a freelance writer who covers the NFL for the Sporting News. Over his nearly two decades covering sports, Mike has also worked for Bleacher Report, USA TODAY and FanSided. He hates writing in the third person.