Jets vs. Steelers score, takeaways: Zach Wilson, New York rally late to spoil Kenny Pickett's rookie debut

The Jets won their second game in dramatic fashion

PITTSBURGH -- Down 20-10, it appeared that the Jets would step aside as the Kenny Pickett era officially kicked off in Pittsburgh. Instead, the Jets rallied to pull off a dramatic 24-20 victory, their second late-game rally in three weeks. Conversely, the Steelers fell to 1-3 after falling for the third time in as many weeks. 

The comeback started when Zach Wilson -- making his season debut -- hit Corey Davis for a five-yard score with 7:41 left. Michael Carter then picked off Pickett on Pittsburgh's ensuing possession. The pick set up Breece Hall's game-winning, 1-yard score with 16 seconds left. 

New York's comeback was fueled by Wilson and a defense that came up with three picks of Pickett, who replaced Mitch Trubisky after the Steelers trailed 10-6 at halftime. Wilson threw for 252 yards while also catching his first career touchdown to give the Jets an early 10-0 lead. 

Here's a closer look at what transpired in Pittsburgh. 

Why the Jets won 

New York came up with the big plays in the game's final moments. Carter's pick came after Pickett hit George Pickens for a 26-yard gain that put the ball on the Jets' 31-yard line. New York capitalized on the pick after Wilson made several clutch throws that included an eight-yard gain to Tyler Conklin on a 3rd-and-6 play. 

Why the Steelers lost 

Turnovers plagued the Steelers, who are 1-3 for the third time in the past four seasons. Pittsburgh's two turnovers led to 10 New York points. The Steelers lost the turnover battle despite interceptions from Cam Sutton and Minkah Fitzpatrick. And while they were good for most of the game, Pittsburgh's defense gave up two late scores. They also registered just one sack on Wilson despite putting consistent pressure on the second-year quarterback. 

Turning point 

Pittsburgh had all the momentum after Pickett entered the contest. His first touchdown run -- following Fitzpatrick's interception -- gave the Steelers the lead. The lead swelled to 10 points after Pickett capped off a 12-play, 82-yard drive with his second touchdown run with 13:36 left. Carter's pick, however, flipped the game on its head while jump-starting the Jets' comeback. 

Play of the game 

Wilson's touchdown catch was the result of a perfectly-executed play, as Garrett Wilson, upon receiving the ball after going in motion, handed it back to Braxton Berrios, who took a few steps before lofting his pass to a wide-open Wilson. Wilson added to the play's lore by doing "The Griddy" in the Steelers' end zone. 

Quotable 

"Just thought we needed a spark," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of replacing Trubisky with Pickett at the start of the second half. "We didn't do much in the first half. Not enough offensively. Thought he could provide a spark for us."

What's next 

The Steelers will travel to Buffalo to face the Bills. This marks the third straight year the Steelers have played in Buffalo. Pittsburgh lost a late-season game in Buffalo in 2020 before upsetting the favored Bills in Week 1 last season. 

New York will return home to host a Dolphins team that is coming off their first loss of the 2022 season. The team has also come under intense scrutiny for its handling of Tua Tagovailoa's health in recent weeks. While Tagovailoa has not been officially ruled out, one should expect the Dolphins to start veteran and former Pro Bowl quarterback Teddy Bridgewater for next Sunday's game against the Jets. 

[Oct 2, 2022 at 4:04 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

The Jets are back in the red zone after Wilson hit Davis for 17 yards. 

[Oct 2, 2022 at 4:03 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Heyward walking gingerly off the field. Fitzpatrick remains out of the game. 

[Oct 2, 2022 at 4:02 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Cam Heyward down near midfield. 

[Oct 2, 2022 at 4:02 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Big in the back penalty by Corey Davis takes the Jets out of potential FG range. I get the penalty but pretty tick-tacky at this point in the game. 

[Oct 2, 2022 at 4:01 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Steelers have both their backup safeties in the game: Tre Norwood and Miles Killebrew. 

[Oct 2, 2022 at 4:00 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Minkah Fitzpatrick comes off the field after the Steelers take an injury timeout. 

[Oct 2, 2022 at 3:59 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Wilson hits Conklin for a first down, as the Jets are now at the Steelers' 38-yard-line. 

[Oct 2, 2022 at 3:57 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

It's been a relatively quiet game for Garrett Wilson, as Davis and Moore have been Wilson's favorite two targets today. 

[Oct 2, 2022 at 3:56 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Jets have a 3rd-and-6 on the Steelers' 46 at the two-minute warning. 

[Oct 2, 2022 at 3:55 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

High drama here in Pittsburgh. Pickett just threw his second pick of the game, this one to Michael Carter II after the pass was tipped by Freiermuth on the near side. 

[Oct 2, 2022 at 3:48 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Jets make it a three-point game as Zach Wilson hits Corey Davis for a five-yard score. Pressure is back on Pickett and the offense with 7:31 left in the game. 

[Oct 2, 2022 at 3:37 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Big completion from Zach to Garrett Wilson gives the Jets life four minutes into the fourth quarter. 

[Oct 2, 2022 at 3:27 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Steelers up 13-10 after the third quarter. 

[Oct 2, 2022 at 3:23 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Pickett with two completions to Freiermuth, who developed a quick rapport with the rookie quarterback (on and off the field) this summer. 

[Oct 2, 2022 at 3:14 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Steelers defense is taking the game over. Minkah nearly had another pick of Wilson. 

[Oct 2, 2022 at 3:09 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Pickett sneaks for his first NFL TD. Steelers take their first lead, 13-10. 

[Oct 2, 2022 at 3:06 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Correction, officials are saying that Fitzpatrick stepped out at the 4-yard-line. So Steelers offense will have to finish this off. 

[Oct 2, 2022 at 3:06 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Minkah Fitzpatrick records his second pick-six of the season, as the Steelers take their first lead. The crowd has come to life after booing the offense for most of the game to this point. 

[Oct 2, 2022 at 3:00 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Pickett's first pass attempt is a pick to Jordan Whitehead on a deep pass attempt for Chase Claypool. 

[Oct 2, 2022 at 2:58 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Kenny Pickett has entered the game for the Steelers. Picked up a first down on a fourth-down sneak to keep his first drive alive. 

[Oct 2, 2022 at 2:51 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Terrell Edmunds is out for the rest of the game as he is in concussion protocol. 

[Oct 2, 2022 at 2:50 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Jets' Max Mitchell (knee) is questionable to return after he was carted off the field in the second quarter. 

[Oct 2, 2022 at 2:49 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Jets to receive second half kickoff. 

[Oct 2, 2022 at 2:30 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Cam Sutton picks off Zach Wilson in Steelers territory. Wilson had Garrett Wilson wide open on a crossing route and Wilson obviously didn't see him.