Two of the most fascinating debuts will happen Sunday night when the New York Jets take on the Pittsburgh Steelers: Wide receiver Davante Adams, traded last week from the Las Vegas Raiders, will play for the first time with good friend Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets; Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson, out all season with a calf injury, is set to compete in the black and gold.
Who will come out on top of this pivotal matchup? Stay with NBC News all night for updates from Pittsburgh.
The Rodgers-to-Adams connection comes up empty early
Playing together for the first time since 2022 in Green Bay, quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receiver Davante Adams couldn’t connect on their first drive together as Jets. Rodgers threw too far outside on a misfire attempt on New York’s first play from scrimmage. A quick punt followed.
Steelers strike first
Pittsburgh takes a 3-0 lead after an opening-drive field goal by Chris Boswell, from 46 yards. Russell Wilson did not look hampered by the calf injury that had sidelined him since late in the preseason. What will differentiate Wilson from Justin Fields will be whether he can pass more effectively. It’s too small of a sample size to know how he will fare so far.
We are under way in Pittsburgh
The 2-4 Jets kick off to the 4-2 Steelers. First start of the season for Russell Wilson at quarterback. Can he play better than Justin Fields?
'It felt like a college reunion'
Jets QB Aaron Rodgers spoke with NBC about rejoining former wide receiver Devonte Adams.
Could Garrett Wilson be on the move?
With the Jets trading for Davontae Adams this week, Wilson -- the previous No. 1 wideout for New York -- is going to bump down to No. 2. According to ESPN this decision could have even bigger implications.
The Jets have heard from teams, the report said, about the former first-round pick. They are opening to listening but are not expected to trade him. He has 399 yards receiving and three scores this season.
Russell Wilson to make first start in Pittsburgh
Despite starting the season 4-2 — and coming off their best win of the season — the Steelers will make a change at QB and Russell Wilson will start over Justin Fields.
Wilson has not played this season while dealing with a calf injury. He is a 9-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion.
What Adams means for Jets offense
The Jets acquired star WR Davante Adams for a conditional third-round pick this week, adding more talent to an offense that already had Garrett Wilson (second in NFL with 41 receptions), Allen Lazard (tied for the NFL lead with five receiving TDs), Mike Williams and RB Breece Hall.
Rodgers, who is off to his worst-ever start through six games at 2-4 said "it’s on us now, because we’re going all-in. It’s our time to go out there, win games and get on a run, which we all feel deep down is going to happen.”
Which Steelers defense will show up?
The Steelers have allowed seven touchdown passes but intercepted opponents seven times. They are one of eight teams who have as many, or more, interceptions than touchdown passes allowed. Does that make their passing defense a fluke or legitimate? Consider that seven of those eight teams also rank among the 10 best defenses at limiting opponents’ passer rating.
Pittsburgh is in that group, too. It would seem, then, the Steelers have a strong foundation to face a revamped Jets passing attack, but watch whether Adams’s arrival opens opportunities for other Jets wideouts such as Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard.
Biggest storylines for Jets-Steelers
After being traded from Las Vegas to the Jets on Tuesday, receiver Davante Adams has been reunited with Aaron Rodgers, his former quarterback in Green Bay. Though their all-pro connection with the Packers was undeniable -- Adams caught 73 touchdown passes in eight seasons -- will their encore in New York be enough to lift an offense with just a single pass play of 40-plus yards, and has averaged 18.8 points per game, which ranks in the league’s bottom third?
Pittsburgh has its own offensive questions. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he is considering playing quarterback Russell Wilson, either in place of or as part of a rotation with Justin Fields. Wilson hasn’t played since injuring a calf in preseason.
Jets on 3-game losing streak
The Jets have lost three straight games since beating the Patriots in Week 3 on Thursday Night Football… and all three losses have been by one score (10 combined points) and in each game New York had the ball with a chance to win but fell short.
• Week 4 vs DEN: Missed 50-yd FG in final minute of regulation (lost 10-9)
• Week 5 vs MIN: Aaron Rodgers threw INT on final drive down by 6 (lost 23-17)
• Week 6 vs BUF: Rodgers threw INT on final drive down by 3 (lost 23-20)