Pittsburgh readiness for Week 1 hinges on an aggressive edge assault against a Jets line hit by Elijah Vera-Tucker’s season-ending injury and Nick Herbig’s hamstring uncertainty. Aaron Rodgers’ press conference flair aside, fantasy managers should watch for Herbig’s snap count and whether Teammate TJ Watt & Co. can dominate early. Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall anchor the Jets, but the Pittsburgh defense is primed to pressure a reshaped offense.

With a national playoff conversation swirling, the episode weighs Steelers playoff odds against a sharper opponent and outlines how injury-driven narratives affect fantasy projections and DFS wybats.

AVT out reshapes the Jets’ interior line, thrusting depth players into the spotlight and nudging the early run game into focus. Rodgers’ Week 1 involvement looms large for fantasy, potentially elevating Garrett Wilson if he plays and tightening the backs’ usage. Fields’ Week 1 rushing tilt adds Bears upside, while the stadium crowd noise and Soto’s MLB trade chatter provide real-world context that reinforces staying data-driven with lineups.

Key takeaways: Jets lean into the ground game if Rodgers is limited; RBs and quick-pass routes rise in value, with Wilson as a high-floor, high-ceiling option if Rodgers suits up. Bears can leverage Fields’ legs for upside in DFS, while fantasy managers should resist overreacting to crowd dynamics or single-game volatility. Depth and usage win Week 1.