The forgotten play that helped Pittsburgh beat the New York Jets

A weekly series I’ll be doing captures the forgotten and hidden plays that helped the Pittsburgh Steelers win – or lose. Not the touchdowns, turnovers or plays that will be the highlight on Monday morning – the small ones that, in retrospect, played a key role in the result. I’ll start with a hidden moment that helped beat the New York Jets on Sunday night.

Alex Highsmith’s third-down pressure results in a punt

The Pittsburgh Steelers closed the gap at halftime with CB Beanie Bishop Jr.’s interception and Russell Wilson’s first touchdown pass, bringing in WR George Pickens to cut the lead to 15-13. But New York still got the ball at halftime and came out moving.

QB Aaron Rodgers hit WR Garrett Wilson for 18 yards on 1st-and-15 to get near midfield. And on 2nd-and-10, Rodgers hit Wilson again for 8 yards to enter Steelers territory and create a manageable 3rd-and-2.

New York was empty and spread the field. Pittsburgh had a miscommunication and left WR Davante Adams, Rodgers’ new and favorite target, open at a flanker while only LB Patrick Queen was in the box. By NFL standards, it was wide open for a first down and then some.

But Alex Highsmith, back for the first time since suffering a serious groin injury in Week 3, beat veteran left tackle Tyron Smith on the sidelines. Highsmith, who beat Smith with a ghost/speed rush early in the game, outran Smith and then passed through to put pressure on Rodgers. It was enough to cause Rodgers to lose his platform, narrow his base and miss an open Adams for the incompletion.

Here’s the important view from the aerial view. You can see how animated Queen is after the game and dissatisfied with how Pittsburgh defended that “loose pile” look against the Jets.

If this becomes a pitch-and-catch, Adams could easily make Queen miss in space and destroy the left sideline for a solid gain. Considering how Pittsburgh has approached the catch up to this point, maybe he scores.

At least it’s a catch and a conversion, and the Jets get close to field goal range. They may have only gotten three points, but they went up by five and saved some face after the Steelers’ goal late in the first half. Rather, this was the beginning of the defense’s collapse. Not here in coverage, but with some pressure on the fast-throwing Rodgers.

New York had to punt and the Steelers offense continued. Wilson led them with an 11-play, 76-yard drive that ended with just another field goal but gave Pittsburgh a 16-15 lead over the Jets. One they wouldn’t give back.

Highsmith’s return was a huge success. He led the way with three pressures, two QB hits and at least one run stuff. It was good to have him back in the lineup and he made a crucial stop that set the tone for the second half.