Steelers at Jets final score: Pittsburgh tries multiple quarterbacks, New York's defense doesn't buckle

The Steelers will now need a Week 17 win and help if they want to avoid missing the playoffs for a second straight year

The Steelers lost in more ways than one in the Big Apple, as Pittsburgh dropped a critical game to Le'Veon Bell and the Jets, 16-10. 

With the loss, the Steelers, the AFC's sixth seed entering the game, are now 8-7 and no longer control their playoff destiny heading into the final weekend of the regular season. In order to make the playoffs, the Steelers need a win in Baltimore as well as a Titans loss in Houston next Sunday. 

Pittsburgh also lost several players during the course of Sunday's game. Quarterback Mason Rudolph, who replaced an ineffective Devlin Hodges in the first half, left the game with an injured shoulder late in the third quarter. The Steelers also lost running back James Conner (quad) and center Maurkice Pouncey (knee) during the course of the game. 

The Steelers trailed 10-0 before replacing Hodges with Rudolph, who helped Pittsburgh rally to tie the score at intermission. Trailing 10-3 late in the second quarter, T.J. Watt's sack and recovered fumble of Jets quarterback Sam Darnold set up Rudolph's game-tying, 29-yard scoring strike to Diontae Johnson, as Pittsburgh had seemingly gained momentum at intermission. 

But after forcing a Pittsburgh punt, the Jets regained the lead on a 37-yard field by goal Sam Ficken midway through the third quarter. After New York's offense forced three straight Pittsburgh punts, Darnold drove the Jets 54 yards before Ficken extended New York's lead to six points with 3:11 left. Marcus Maye, who earlier in the game recorded an interception of Hodges in the Jets' end zone, recorded a big breakup of Hodges' third-down pass to James Washington on the second to last play of the game. Hodges' incomplete pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster on fourth down sealed Pittsburgh's second consecutive defeat. 

Here's a more in-depth look at how Pittsburgh lost control of their playoff destiny. 

Why the Jets won 

While the Jets' second ranked run defense feasted on Pittsburgh's feeble rushing attack, their pass rush recorded four sacks while also helping record a pair of interceptions. New York also received a solid performance by quarterback Darnold, who led the Jets on a pair of second half scoring drives after Pittsburgh had tied the score just before halftime. Darnold also helped give the Jets an early lead on his first quarter touchdown pass to Robbie Anderson. 

While he still doesn't resemble the Pittsburgh version of himself, Bell earned his 93 total yards on 29 touches that included several pivotal gains on the Jets' final scoring drive. The Jets' special teams also won the day, with Ficken connecting on all three of his field goal attempts.

Why the Steelers lost 

While it's hard to be too critical about a team that is dealing with so many injuries, the Steelers deserve some criticism after losing to a Jets team that had nothing to play for as far as playoff standings are concerned. While Pittsburgh's defense gave the Steelers yet another winning performance, they were again let down by an offense that committed two turnovers while averaging just three yards per carry. Facing Gregg Williams' blitz-happy defense, Pittsburgh tallied just 16 first downs while converting on just three of their 14 third-down opportunities. 

Turning point 

After squandering a 10-point lead, the Jets turned the tide after forcing a punt on the Steelers' first possession of the second half. Darnold aided his defense by hitting receiver Jamison Crowder for 17 yards and tight end Trevon Wesco for 32 yards. Those completions set up Ficken's second field goal that gave Gang Green the lead for good. 

Play of the game

Trailing 13-10 in the fourth quarter, and the Steelers threatening to tie the score, a sack by rookie defensive end Quinnen Williams took the Steelers out of field goal range while forcing a Pittsburgh punt. The Jets' offense then extended their lead to six points. 

Quotable 

"It was different. It was just fun playing against my old teammates. When I was over there in practice, they weren't able to hit me, so they obviously got their chance today. It was fun going against Coach (Tomlin)'s game plan, it was a different experience. It was fun. I enjoyed it." -- Le'Veon Bell told CBS Sports following Sunday's win over his former team 

What's next

The Steelers will head to Baltimore to face a Ravens team that will likely rest quarterback Lamar Jackson, running back Mark Ingram, receiver Marquise Brown -- and possibly others -- after clinching the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs by virtue of their win over the Browns on Sunday. As noted above, the Steelers will need a win and a Titans loss in Houston to qualify for the playoffs. While the Steelers will face a Ravens team that will have virtually nothing to play for, the Texans will face a Texans team that also has nothing to play for after clinching the AFC South division during Saturday's win over the Buccaneers.

The Jets will close out their season with a trip to Buffalo, which has clinched a wild-card spot for the second time in three years. 

Catch up on our live blog below for Sunday's game for instant updates, highlights, and expert analysis.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:56 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Nice win for the Jets, who are now 6-9 after a 1-7 start. Thanks for following our live coverage! Goodnight and have a great Holiday season!

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:55 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Great breakup by Marcus Maye on third down leads to incomplete pass on fourth down. Jets take over as Steelers no longer control their playoff fate.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:52 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Bad punt gives Steelers the ball at their own 40. So need 60 yards in 87 seconds with no timeouts.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:50 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Jets appear content forcing the Steelers to use their final timeouts and giving Duck one last shot at winning the game. Duck did complete a big pass back in Week 12, a 79-yard touchdown pass to James Washington back in Week 12.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:35 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Darnold starting to find his groove again. I feel like any type of points here would pretty much end the game.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:31 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Quinnen Williams' sack knocks Steelers out of FG range. Then Hodges struggles to corral low snap, as Steelers forced to punt.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:28 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Steelers trying to will their way down the field against the NYJ' second ranked run defense. So far so good as Steelers cross midfield.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:26 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

https://twitter.com/SteelersPR...

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:23 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Here we go.

https://twitter.com/steelers/s...

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:23 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Steelers third down defense has been stellar today. Let's see if the SPE doesn't jump offsides this time.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:19 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Duck may be coming back in.

https://twitter.com/tribjoerut...

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:17 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Cam Heyward and Bud Dupree appeared to be shaken up on the last play of the quarter. Meanwhile, Pouncey is headed to the locker room. Heyward would be replaced by Tyson Alualu, while Anthony Chickillo would come in for Dupree.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:10 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Finney started in the 2016 game that saw Bell rush for a franchise single game record 236 yards vs. Bills.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:09 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Finney is one of the best backup linemen in the NFL. A former undrafted rookie out of Kansas State in 2015, Finney grew up a Steelers fan and was signed by Pitt as an UFDA. Spent his rookie season on the practice squad before playing considerably as a guard/center in 2016.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:08 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Steelers injury woes continue:

https://twitter.com/NealCoolon...

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:05 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Good coverage by Mark Barron forces another Jets punt. Both defenses stepping up in the third quarter.