Jets rookie quarterback Geno Smith, who broke out for three touchdown passes with no interceptions last week at Atlanta, looked like a different player Week 6 against the Steelers, completing 19 of 34 passes for 201 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. He also had three carries for 8 yards.
Smith seemed to bring out the best in a Steelers defense that entered the game ranked dead last in the NFL with zero takeaways and four sacks. Though his interceptions didn't come until the second half, when he was struggling to keep his team in a game dominated by defense, he took a couple shots from the Steelers pass rush in the first half (getting sacked three times total) and was uncharacteristically inaccurate with his deep ball, overthrowing a wide open Stephen Hill down the middle of the field late in the second quarter.
"I'm just frustrated to lose the game," Smith said. "I understand there's going to be growing pains and things to learn, but we don't go out there with that mindset."
Now with 10 interceptions compared to seven touchdown passes this season, Smith will attempt to bounce back Week 7 against the Patriots.