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Steelers kicker Chris Boswell celebrates a 59-yard field goal against the Jets in the second quarter, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, at Acrisure Stadium.
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Steelers vs. Jets: Gerry Dulac's quarterly observations

Matt Freed/Post-Gazette

Steelers vs. Jets: Gerry Dulac's quarterly observations

Steelers insider Gerry Dulac breaks down each quarter of action from Week 4:

FOURTH QUARTER

• The 12-play, 82-yard TD drive by the Steelers was the longest of the season, both in plays and yards. Kenny Pickett was 5 of 5 for 64 yards on the drive, but his 18-yarder to Pat Freiermuth to the Jets 2 with pressure in his face was most impressive.

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• Zach Wilson has been wildly erratic, completing less than 45% of his passes, but five of his 14 completions have been for 20-plus yards.

Jets quarterback Zach Wilson celebrates a touchdown with wide receiver Elijah Moore against the Steelers in the second quarter, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, at Acrisure Stadium.
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• The second interception by Pickett was not a good decision, throwing off balance across field to Freiermuth, especially with 3 ½ minutes left. If that were Trubisky who made that throw, look out. Pickett, though, had been making a lot of quick, good decisions ... until that one. It ended up leading to the go-ahead TD.

THIRD QUARTER

• Kenny Pickett had his first pass intercepted and his second pass completed. Ben Roethlisberger had his first pass misfire and his second pass intercepted. Just sayin’.

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• Nervy call by Mike Tomlin to go on a 4th-and-1 from his own 31. His message was clear: Steelers needed a burst of energy and something to get them going.

• How’s that trade of a future No. 1 for Minkah Fitzpatrick continue to look?

• The Jets have turned a potential 17-3 game into a 13-10 Steelers lead. Only the J-E-T-S can do that.

SECOND QUARTER

Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett dives for a touchdown against the Jets in the third quarter, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, at Acrisure Stadium.
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• The worst thing that could happen to the Steelers and Mitch Trubisky has happened — falling behind the Jets, 10-0. You might not have heard it during the commercial break, but the crowd was chanting for Kenny Pickett right after the Jets’ extra point.

• There’s something about watching the Philly Special be executed to perfection that is still a joy to see, even though Steelers fans probably weren’t crazy that it worked.

• Rookie DE DeMarvin Leal continues to be a disruptive player on the field. His ability to line at OLB for injured T.J. Watt is reflective of his athleticism and why the coaches want him on the field.

• That was a really important scoring drive for Mitch Trubisky, even though the Steelers had to settle for a field goal after he and Diontae Johnson missed by the front of Johnson’s left foot of connecting on a 23-yard touchdown. To not come away with any points after trailing 10-0 would have really created a cantankerous mood at the stadium.

• Not sure which is worse — the play of both offensive tackles or the 30-yards punts of Pressley Harvin? Trubisky has been sacked three times off the edge already and thrown several incompletions with players in his face.

FIRST QUARTER

• Deep pass to George Pickens. Throws in the middle of the field to Pat Freiermuth. Tuning out the noise? Seems to me they’re listening to it.

• Diontae Johnson has to catch that ball that was intercepted, even though it was tipped at the line of scrimmage. Ball skipped off both hands. Gotta have it.

• Just in case you don’t follow the Jets, their 3-0 lead was only the second time in four games they’ve held a lead. The other was the final 22 seconds of their comeback victory against the Browns.

• After a 3rd-and-5 pass to RB Jaylen Warren that gained 4 yards, the grumbling already started among the crowd. Gonna be a long day if they get behind any more.

Gerry Dulac: gdulac@post-gazette.com and Twitter @gerrydulac.

First Published: October 2, 2022, 5:38 p.m.
Updated: October 2, 2022, 7:34 p.m.

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