‘It’s Gonna Be Bloody’: Breece Hall Prepares for a Physical Showdown Against Steelers’ Defense
The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for an exciting Week 1 clash against the New York Jets. Pittsburgh will travel to MetLife Stadium to face off against the newly led Justin Fields Jets. The Steelers had Fields in the 2024 season, but he joined the Jets in free agency after the year ended.
In a unique twist, Pittsburgh then acquired New York’s former quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, making this opener one of the most intriguing matchups on the schedule. The game is packed with storylines, and Jets star running back Breece Hall added even more fuel by sharing his thoughts ahead of the contest.
Speaking to the New York media on Friday, Hall outlined what he’s expecting from the season opener. He talked about the atmosphere surrounding this matchup and acknowledged the intensity that comes with opening the season against a team like Pittsburgh. Hall explained that Week 1 sets the tone for the rest of the year, and he expects a tough, physical battle when these two franchises meet on Sunday afternoon.
"Yeah, they have two very good guys on the edge," Hall said. "A really good linebacker in Payton Wilson, another one in Patrick Queen."
The Steelers’ defense is loaded with superstars and playmakers, and Hall is well aware of the talent he will be facing. He highlighted the impact of players like Payton Wilson and Patrick Queen, along with the relentless pressure brought by the pass rush.
Beyond the front seven, Pittsburgh’s secondary is expected to be a major strength as well, making this unit one of the toughest challenges any offense will see.
"It's definitely gonna be bloody," Hall said during his time chatting with the media on Friday. "It's gonna be a hard game, you know. We're gonna have to run the ball. Whoever runs the ball the best is gonna win the game. So, whoever out-physicals the other team, that's gonna be the ultimate outcome of it."
Hall also made it clear that the Jets are embracing the challenge. He stressed the importance of starting fast, maintaining discipline, and matching the energy Pittsburgh is known for bringing. His comments reflect just how much anticipation is building for this clash. With two teams that made major offseason changes, the stage is set for a dramatic opener, and Hall’s words only raise the excitement level for what’s to come at MetLife Stadium.
Steelers' Defense Looking To Make Big Statement Against Justin Fields-Led Jets
This Steelers' defense is very familiar with Fields. Now that he is in enemy territory and looking to get off to a fast start with his new organization, the Steelers will be eager to make a statement. They know Fields well because they saw his flaws throughout the 2024 season in practice. That played a big role in the front office deciding to move on from the raw talent after just one year and six starts.
The Steelers are expected to have one of the best defenses in the NFL in the 2025 season, and they will be hungry to prove it from the opening whistle. Facing a quarterback they know inside and out only adds fuel to the fire, as Pittsburgh’s defenders will look to wreak havoc on their former teammate all game long.
With the strength of this unit, the Steelers should have enough of an advantage to walk away from MetLife Stadium with a 1-0 record. The Steelers are slight favorites against the Jets. That's a big tell considering they are the road team. Clearly Vegas has faith the Steelers start the season off with a win.
Dan Quinn names surprising Commanders player about ‘to go big’
The Washington Commanders are just days away from their season opener against the New York Giants. There are plenty of players on the roster fans are keeping tabs on, as many believe the franchise will be one of the most competitive in the league this year. However, head coach Dan Quinn named one surprising standout that is flying under the radar.
During an interview with Kevin Sheehan of “The Team 980 am,” the 54-year-old coach revealed that safety Quan Martin is someone who is potentially going to take a leap in production in the 2025-26 season. Quinn believes that the sky is the limit for Martin as he enters his third year in the league.
“There's a whole other subset, I would say, who are, like, making the leap,” said Dan Quinn. “And I would say Quan Martin is one, for me, that I have already had high expectations for him. But then to see the type of camp that he had, the work that he's put in, I feel like he's one player that I think is really about to go big.”
Commanders HC Dan Quinn tells Kevin Sheehan the player he sees who is about to go big! pic.twitter.com/rplQHN9yUX
— The Team 980 (@team980) September 3, 2025
Martin, who is 25 years old, served as a starting safety for the Commanders last season. It was his first time playing that role after rotating in off the bench in his rookie year. Quan Martin ended the 2024-25 campaign with 87 combined tackles (50 solo), three forced fumbles, and one interception.
That's a solid season for anybody playing safety in the NFL. But it appears Dan Quinn thinks Martin can exceed those numbers in the 2025-26 season. If Martin can improve his ability to create turnovers, then the Commanders' defense could be a legitimate problem for opponents.
He'll have his first opportunity to live up to Quinn's expectations on Sunday when the Commanders take on the Giants. It'll be a home game for Washington, as the club hopes to take an early lead over a divisional rival.
