The New York Jets are fresh off a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1.
During that contest, the Jets (0-1) nearly turned it around but fell late to the Steelers. Considering it’s a loss (and a dramatic one at that), it’s curious to find out where New York will land in the first power rankings poll of the 2025 season.
Here’s how the Jets fare in national media power rankings polls heading into Week 2:
USA Today
21. New York Jets (23): Woulda, coulda, shoulda after they fumbled away a potential win against Pittsburgh and their former leader, Rodgers. But Justin Fields looks like the 21st-century quarterback the Jets have long needed, and Sauce Gardner again looks the part of a corner who deserves to be paid like the league’s best.
Pro Football Talk
27. Jets (No. 25; 0-1): A moral victory is still not a victory.
Bleacher Report
25. New York Jets (0-1)
Last Week: 28
Week 1 Result: Lost vs. Pittsburgh 34-32
The Jets found a way to lose, yet a silver lining exists even in defeat: They showed significant promise on offense, which hasn’t been the case in quite some time.
QB Justin Fields performed well in his debut with Gang Green. He completed 72.7 percent of his passes for 218 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 48 yards and two scores.
His performance is only part of the equation, though, because the Jets controlled the line of scrimmage throughout a large portion of Sunday’s contest. Their new-look offensive line pushed the Steelers around and helped the team run for 182 yards. Breece Hall was impressive with 107 rushing yards.
The Jets didn’t lose because of their quarterback. Instead, the defense and special teams let them down.
The Athletic
Sunday: Lost to Steelers 34-32
First impression: They have an offense!
The Jets had their best offensive success rate in 43 games. They outgained the Steelers 394 yards to 271. Justin Fields (16-of-22 passing for 218 yards and a touchdown, plus two rushing scores) had the sixth-best EPA per play of any quarterback in Week 1. It was a tough loss in Glenn’s debut as coach, but these are all steps in the right direction for a team that has been tough to watch in recent years.
Up next: vs. Bills, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
NFL.com
27. New York Jets (+3)
Justin Fields didn’t look great this preseason, which is one of the reasons his terrific showing against the Steelers was so surprising. The rushing production was expected; pinpoint efficiency isn’t nearly as common. Fields was stellar, leading six scoring drives (four TDs) but the Jets — stop me if you’ve heard this one before — found a way to lose. They were up two scores entering the fourth quarter, yet somehow fell behind less than a minute into the final stanza. Fans of the 2024 Jets might remember that they lost six games after leading in the fourth quarter. The defense shut down Pittsburgh’s run game but allowed old friend Aaron Rodgers to have as good a game in his Steelers debut as he put up in two ill-fated years with the Jets. There was a heavy dose of encouraging but still too many of the same old issues in the opener.
Pro Football Focus
27. New York Jets (up 2)
Chance of making playoffs: 14%Chance of winning Super Bowl: <1%
The Jets might have lost a close game to the Steelers in Week 1, but the sweetness of the moral victory should taste good. The team’s offense earned a 79.6 PFF overall grade, the highest among all offenses in the NFL. The next step is turning the moral victories into real ones, and that starts against the Bills in Week 2.
Sports Illustrated
25. Buffalo Bills (0-1)
Last week’s ranking: No. 26Last week’s result: lost to Steelers, 34–32This week: vs. Buffalo
There are a lot of positives the Jets can take away from this weekend, but here’s one that rang especially true for me (someone who has covered this team as a beat reporter and has lived 10 minutes from the facility for more than a decade): When is the last time an opener has made you this excited about a young offensive coordinator? The Jets have been a haven for retreads at the position, with the last upwardly-mobile young coordinator—Mike LaFleur—run out of town by Woody Johnson. Tanner Engstrand is different and he’s cooking with Justin Fields so far.
ESPN
25. New York Jets (0-1)
Week 1 result: Lost to the Steelers 34-32Preseason ranking: 28
Best newcomer performance: OT Armand Membou
The No. 7 pick allowed no sacks and one QB pressure in his debut, committing zero penalties. It wasn’t an easy assignment, either, as he faced Steelers edge rushers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Membou was physical and quick in the run game. On Braelon Allen’s 8-yard TD run, Membou got to the second.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: NFL power rankings: New York Jets in curious positions across polls heading into Week 2
Reporting by Nick Wojton, USA TODAY / Jets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
