What to make of the High Stakes Sunday Night Football Matchup between Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers
By Levi Coovert October 19, 2024 12:46
This weeks Sunday Night Football game features the Steelers and Jets. Pittsburgh is 4-2, and boast an excellent defense, while the Jets are 2-4. There's lots at stake in this game for both teams, but only one can come out on top.
The Jets need a win
The Jets are 2-4, and have struggled early in the season. It's no secret that there is drama in New York, with head coach Robert Saleh already having been fired. Aaron Rodgers is now reunited with star wide receiver Davante Adams, but will it matter? If the Jets lose to the Steelers, they'd be 2-5. They have to face the 5-1 Texans in two weeks, so there is a real chance the Jets could lose six of their first nine games.
Obviously, anything can happen, but if the Jets are 3-6, the playoffs will be a long-shot. The Jets need to set the tone for the rest of their season with a win over the Steelers.
Russell Wilson needs a win
Russell Wilson is set to make his first start of the season, and his first since being benched by the Denver Broncos in Week 16 of 2023. Wilson had good stats last year in Denver, but he was being paid too much money, and hasn't had a winning season since 2020 with the Seahawks.
Wilson now has Justin Fields breathing down his neck, with many Steelers fans and analysts openly questioning the decision to even give Wilson a chance. However, Mike Tomlin believes Wilson can run the offense better than Fields, and wants to give him a chance to prove he deserves his job.
Legacy's on the line
Both Rodgers and Wilson have a legacy on the line, and Sunday Night's game will play a big part in shaping the narrative.
For Rodgers, a loss Sunday would dig the Jets into a deep hole. Rodgers does not want to be the only great QB to switch teams and be terrible. Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Brett Favre and Joe Montana all made the playoffs beyond the age of 40 with their new teams. If Rodgers' season with New York turns out to be a disappointment, he will be the only star QB to switch teams and struggle, which hurts his legacy compared to the other greats.
That being said, Rodgers is a clear cut Hall of Famer, so although he does have a lot on the line, he can sleep easy knowing he will be in Canton no matter how this season plays out.
Russell on the other hand...
A career revival?
Russell Wilson needs a career revival. From 2012-2020, he never had a losing season, making the playoffs eight times with the Seahawks and frequently making Pro Bowls.
Since then, his career has gone sideways. He has had three straight losing season, and has been lackluster to say the least. With only one Super Bowl title, no first-team All-Pro selections, and a peak that didn't last past age 30, Wilson is no lock for the Hall of Fame. He likely needs to at least make the playoffs a few more times, earn a couple more Pro-Bowl nods, and stack counting numbers like yards and touchdowns to bolster his case for Canton.
Wilson needs a career revival, and the Steelers have the defense to get him there. If Wilson is even 70% of what he was in Seattle, the Steelers could be a real Super Bowl contender with how dominant their defense is.
Margin of error is small
The issue for Wilson is that because of the success his backup Fields' has had, the margin of error is very small. If Wilson struggles, fans will begin to call for Fields, and he may only get a few starts. Wilson needs to pick up wins quickly to earn the good grace of the fans, players, and coaches in Pittsburgh. A loss to the 2-4 Jets would not be a great start, and the calls for Fields would only get louder.
A Historic rivalry
The rivalry between Wilson and Rodgers has been well documented, and Sunday Night will be the latest chapter in that story. Their most thrilling game has to be the 2014 NFC Championship, when Wilson led his Seahawks on a fourth-quarter comeback to clinch the NFC title.
Rodgers got revenge in the 2020 playoffs, beating Wilson at home. The two have also met seven times in the regular season, with Wilson holding a slim 4-3 advantage.
Rodgers and Wilson are two of three QB's all time with a career passer rating of 100 or greater, with the other being Patrick Mahomes. However, Wilson's career mark sits exactly at 100, so if he struggles, he may fall out of the exclusive 100 club.
Odds
The Jets, despite being 2-4, are favored by 1.5 points on the road. One thing is for certain, it will be a thrilling game.
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