Jets at Steelers: 3 things we learned

The Steelers waxed the Jets on Sunday, but what did we learn about both teams from that game?

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ passing game has too many weapons for the average NFL defense, especially a below-average unit like the one the New York Jets fielded during a 31-13 loss in Week 5. Pittsburgh saw off their visitors from the Big Apple thanks to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s quartet of touchdown passes. Big Ben threw for 380 yards in all, while targeting six different receivers.

His arm and the weapons he aimed for exposed a sieve-like Jets pass defense. Meanwhile, the New York offense flattered to deceive early, before becoming one-dimensional after the Steelers shut down the run.

Here’s what we learned about both teams in Week 5:

Roethlisberger has too many weapons

It’s a wonderful problem for a quarterback to have. So many weapons, so little time to target them all.

Roethlisberger knows the feeling thanks to perhaps the deepest supporting cast of pass-catching talent in the NFL. Specifically, there’s a receiver for every type of pass Roethlisberger would ever need to throw.

If he wants to push the ball deep, he can target Sammie Coates, who burned the Jets for a 72-yard score. If Roethlisberger targets the outside he can utilize the size and speed of Markus Wheaton.

Alternatively, he can work the middle by going to Jesse James or fellow tight end Xavier Grimble. Cover all that and he’ll simply flip the ball to dual-threat running back Le’Veon Bell in the flat or on wheel and go routes.

Just for good measure, Roethlisberger can simply focus on connecting with the great Antonio Brown, a wide receiver for the ages.

Each of these players recorded receptions against the Jets, with Brown, James and Coates accounting for Roethlisberger’s four touchdown throws.

Just think how effective this pass attack would be if Martavis Bryant wasn’t serving a season-long suspension. Fear not though, dynamic tight end Ladarius Green is still to come off the PUP list.

Actually, that’s a scary thought for every defense on the Steelers schedule.

Secondary a major problem for Jets

As much as the Steelers are a force through the air, the Jets remain every bit as generous surrendering passing yards. An injury to veteran cornerback Darrelle Revis only made the problem worse in Week 5.

In truth, things were still pretty shocking even with Revis in the secondary. Football Perspective’s Chase Stuart cited data from Pro Football Reference to detail how much the Jets have struggled to repel the pass:

Those numbers are bleak reading for head coach Todd Bowles. He must shoulder the blame after moving away from the blitz-crazed schemes that built stout defenses with the Arizona Cardinals. It’s how Bowles got the job as lead man for the Jets.

But he’s since reined in his attacking instincts and placed the burden for creating pressure on a highly regarded front four. Yet it’s a line built more for stopping the run, as the Jets proved by limiting Bell to 66 rushing yards on 20 carries.

Bowles’ secondary isn’t good enough to hold up in man coverage while waiting for just four to get home. He must get more creative, both with pressure up front and his coverage concepts on the back end.

Steelers D’ looks familiar

Bowles should take his cue from Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Kevin Butler. He’s reverted to more aggressive schemes after seeing a cautious approach fail.

After three weeks playing a passive Tampa 2, the Steelers have gone back in time defensively. Back to a time when the blitz was king and linebackers made plays in bunches.

Three sacks against the Jets, all by linebackers, revealed a unit looking more like its old zone-blitz self. Butler moved flexible inside ‘backers Lawrence Timmons and Vince Williams everywhere.

He created overloads to baffle the Jets blocking schemes and keep quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick guessing about where pressure would be coming from and what the coverage behind it would look like. Williams and Timmons both got to the bearded one, as the Steelers made the fire-zone sexy again.

All this team needs is a defense at least able to keep opponents below 24 points. If so, Roethlisberger and Co. will handle the rest.

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