Trade $20, Get $35 in Bonus Funds CODE: SBR35

Jets vs. Steelers Prediction, Picks & Best Bets: NFL Preseason Week 2 Odds

Can the Steelers' young quarterbacks lead them past the Jets? My Jets vs. Steelers prediction breaks down the Week 2 preseason clash.

Philip Wood

Last updated: August 21, 2026 7:06 AM EDT • 3 min read

Pictured: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard throws a pass as we make our best Jets vs. Steelers prediction. Photo by Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Enjoying SBR content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account

My best Jets vs. Steelers prediction for Friday's 7 p.m. ET game focuses on the efficiency of the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense, even with backups on the field. While New York Jets' head coach Aaron Glenn has said starters will play, the status of quarterback Geno Smith is up in the air. Even if Smith plays, he won't be at 100%, and I don't expect him to stay on the field long.

The Jets are a 1.5-point betting favorite heading into the matchup at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. The game will air on NFL Network and stream on NFL+.

🏈 Jets vs. Steelers prediction: NFL preseason Week 2

See the latest NFL odds and our experts' NFL picks for every game this season.

💰 Pick	⚖️ Units	🧠 Why I bet this
Steelers (+105 via DraftKings)	1u → 1.05u	The Steelers will have a more coherent offensive game plan tonight
Under 36.5 (-110 via DraftKings)	1u → 0.91u	Neither offense was consistent for four quarters in Week 1, while both defenses were solid.

Total wagered: 2 units | Max profit: 1.96 units

💰 Jets vs. Steelers best bet

Steelers (+105)

Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph won't play in this game, but I still favor the Steelers' offense over the Jets'. Will Howard, who went 7-of-9 for 86 yards in Week 1, will start. Drew Allar, who threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter last week, will replace him.

We already know the Jets will be without Breece Hall, who suffered a groin injury a couple of days ago. If Geno Smith plays, the offense may look competent for a drive or two, but I'd be shocked if he plays more than that. Smith's backups threw for just 193 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions last week.

Score prediction: Steelers 17 Jets 14

🚀 Jets vs. Steelers same-game parlay

Howard and Allar aren't great by any means, but the two quarterbacks threw just five incompletions on 22 pass attempts last week. That's efficient whether you're playing against starters or backups. The Steelers' offense simply has more potential to be consistent from start to finish.

But I'm also backing the Under because neither of these teams' Week 1 games was as offensive-driven as the final scores suggest. The Steelers scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, and the Jets' game barely surpassed 36.5 points, with Bailey Zappe throwing a pick-six early.

💵 Jets vs. Steelers SGP picks

Steelers
Under 36.5

Best odds: +264 via DraftKings (0.5u → 1.32u)

💵 My betting record for NFL picks

All NFL picks, including SGPs, have been tracked since Aug. 13.

Bet type	Record	Net profit	ROI
Overall	7-0	+6.97 units ✅	+116.2% ✅
Game picks	5-0	+4.48 units ✅	+89.6% ✅
Player props	0-0	0 units ✅	0% ✅
Parlays	2-0	+2.49 units ✅	+249% ✅

💡 How I'm betting Jets vs. Steelers: NFL preseason strategy

Follow all of our NFL analysis and betting advice for the 2026 NFL season.

Betting on preseason games is hard enough, let alone when injuries are involved. And while I wouldn't be surprised to see Smith play, I'm more focused on what's driving the Steelers' players.

Howard and Allar are battling for a roster spot, and the Steelers' defense didn't allow a single touchdown against the Packers last week. I'm not going to get carried away, but the Steelers seem to have a more coherent plan entering this game, so I'm risking one unit on them outright and one unit on the Under.

📊 Jets vs. Steelers odds: NFL preseason Week 2

Our live Jets vs. Steelers odds update in real time.

🚑 Jets vs. Steelers latest injuries

🌤️ Jets vs. Steelers weather: Friday, 7 p.m. ET

Follow our NFL weather report for the latest forecasts for every game this season.

Weather shouldn't be a factor in this game. The latest reports suggest temperatures in the low to mid-70s, with just a 12% chance of precipitation. With wind gusts never expected to reach higher than 8 mph, neither team should have to adjust their game plan for any reason.

📺 How to watch Jets vs. Steelers: NFL preseason Week 2

Date: Friday, Aug. 21
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh)
TV: NFL Network
Streaming: NFL+

📃 Affiliate disclosure

Sportsbook Review may receive a commission if you sign up through our links. Not intended for use in MA. Bonuses not applicable in Ontario. 21+ only. (Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)

Written By:
Philip Wood

Phil has covered sports betting since 2016 and has been sharing his NFL experience with SportsBook Review since 2022. He previously hosted the College Football Pick 'Em podcast for CanesInsight.com. He is always looking for value, especially on lines that just seem too good to be true. His belief is that if a line doesn't make sense just assume oddsmakers know something you don't. He also loves in-season futures. There is so much value to be had as the public overreacts weekly. Bettors tend to forget just how long NFL and college football seasons are. After all, the Green Bay Packers were 2-5 in 2023 and they made it to the Divisional Round. When deciding where to bet, it comes down to value over everything. +100 is always better than -110. An alumnus of The U, Phil always holds out hope that the next head coach will be the one who turns the football program around. He is also a diehard Detroit Lions fan and is willing to forgive Dan Campbell for forgetting that a kicker can be useful.