Sep 7, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) receives the snap during the second quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Steelers Do Something They Haven't Done in 16 Years

Originally posted on Pittsburgh Steelers on SI
By Jack Markowski | Last updated Sep 8, 2025 9:00 AM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers set the tone early in their 34-32 Week 1 victory over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.

After New York drove down the field on the opening possession of the game, Justin Fields' first with the team, and kicked a 48-yard field goal, Pittsburgh one-upped it with a touchdown on Aaron Rodgers' initial series for the franchise.

In doing so, the Steelers put up six points on the board in their introductory drive of a season for the first time since 2008, marking another piece of history on a day that saw a rather astonishing amount of milestones being reached.

Despite trailing without ever touching the ball, Pittsburgh didn't miss a beat and looked crisp for that entire first series after Rodgers was sacked by Quinnen Williams on the opening play.

The four-time MVP connected with Pat Freiermuth for 11 yards on a 3rd-and-10, advancing the ball to the Steelers' own 40-yard line.

On a 3rd-and-10 from that same spot on the field, Rodgers found DK Metcalf for a 23-yard gain that put Pittsburgh at New York's 37-yard line.

Following a pair of six-yard gains on a Rodgers pass to Jonnu Smith and a rushing attempt by Kenneth Gainwell, the latter ran for three yards on another carry before the former found Ben Skowronek wide open on a crossing route off of a bootleg for a 22-yard score.

"I couldn't believe off that fake, he was wide open," Rodgers said. "I was throwing the ball thinking, man, 'Ben's gonna score the first touchdown today."

Aaron Rodgers to Ben Skowronek for a Steelers TD!

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Though Pittsburgh's defense had trouble containing the Jets' new-look offense both on the ground and through the air, Rodgers and company had little issue keeping pace with them on the scoreboard as the day went along.

The Steelers did put up a rather paltry 271 total yards of offense, which paled in comparison to New York's output (394), and lost the time of possession battle by nearly 10 minutes, but neither of those factors mattered in the end.

Rodgers looked sharp, posting 244 yards and four passing touchdowns, and the rest of the unit followed suit en route to a season-opening victory.

This article first appeared on Pittsburgh Steelers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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