The 2025 NFL season kicked off with fireworks on Sunday night as the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the New York Jets 34-32 at MetLife Stadium in a game filled with drama, revenge storylines, and last-minute heroics.
Rodgers’ Triumphant Return
All eyes were on Aaron Rodgers, making his highly anticipated Steelers debut against the very team that brought him back to football glory just a year earlier. Met with loud boos from Jets fans, Rodgers let his play do the talking. The 40-year-old quarterback looked as sharp as ever, completing 22 of 30 passes for 244 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions, finishing with a 136.7 passer rating.
After the game, Rodgers admitted he was “very happy to stick it to everyone associated with the Jets,” leaving no doubt that this matchup carried personal weight.
Jets Showcase Justin Fields
Despite the heartbreak, the Jets had plenty of positives, especially the debut of Justin Fields as their new starter. Fields showed flashes of brilliance, throwing for 218 yards and a touchdown, while adding 48 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. His dual-threat playmaking kept the Steelers defense guessing and gave the Jets a real shot at victory.
In fact, Fields made history as the first NFL player since 1948 to record 200+ passing yards with a touchdown and 50+ rushing yards with two rushing TDs in a season opener.
Back-and-Forth Battle
The first half was a shootout. The Jets scored on four of their first five possessions, something they hadn’t done in an opener since 1991. At halftime, they held a slim 19-17 lead.
Momentum seemed to tilt further their way in the third quarter when Fields punched in a rushing touchdown to give New York a 26-17 advantage.
But Rodgers responded quickly. On the very next drive, he hit Jaylen Warren for a touchdown, narrowing the gap. Then, disaster struck for the Jets when returner Xavier Gipson fumbled a kickoff, setting the Steelers up with prime field position. Rodgers capitalized almost instantly, finding Calvin Austin for another score, flipping the lead to 31-26.
Jets’ Last Push and Boswell’s Dagger
Fields wasn’t done. He engineered a gritty 12-play, 67-yard drive, capped by a quarterback sneak for his second rushing touchdown of the night, giving the Jets a 32-31 lead. The two-point conversion failed, leaving the margin razor thin with seven minutes remaining.
Enter Chris Boswell. With just over a minute left, the Steelers’ kicker drilled a career-long 60-yard field goal, the longest game-winner in franchise history. Jets fans gasped as the ball sailed through the uprights, giving Pittsburgh a 34-32 lead.
The Jets had one final chance, but Fields’ deep pass to Garrett Wilson fell incomplete. The game ended in heartbreak for New York, jubilation for Pittsburgh.
What It Means
For the Steelers, Rodgers’ seamless debut and Boswell’s ice-cold kick are signs of a team ready to contend. For the Jets, Fields’ dynamic play offered hope, but costly mistakes—especially Gipson’s fumble—proved too much to overcome.
It was a game that had everything: offense, drama, momentum swings, and a walk-off kick. If Week 1 is any indication, the 2025 NFL season promises to be unforgettable.