The New York Jets (0-1) travel to face the Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0) on Friday, August 21, with kickoff at 7:00 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. Kalshi's market has New York and Pittsburgh priced at 50% each, as of this writing.
Pittsburgh finished 9-8 and won the AFC North last season under Mike Tomlin, who stepped down after the season, and enters 2026 under new coach Mike McCarthy. New York finished 3-14 and is rebuilding around a retooled receiving corps and a series of new draft picks. Both teams are using Friday's game to sort out backup roles ahead of final roster cuts.
For informational purposes only. Not financial advice. See full disclaimer below. Kalshi is not affiliated with the NFL.
Snapshot
Matchup: New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Kickoff: Friday, August 21, 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Watch: Nationally on NFL Network
Kalshi's current number: 50% New York Jets / 50% Pittsburgh Steelers (as of this writing)
New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Friday, August 21, 2026
New York's number has climbed since Wednesday, tracking with Pittsburgh's confirmation that neither Aaron Rodgers nor Mason Rudolph will play Friday, leaving the Steelers' passing game to second-year quarterback Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar. Coach Mike McCarthy has said he would only have used Rodgers if receivers DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. were both healthy enough to play alongside him, and neither has cleared that bar this week. The pair combined to go 17-for-22 for 239 passing yards and three total touchdowns in last week's opener.
New York running back Breece Hall is dealing with a groin strain that will keep him out another one to two weeks, though coach Aaron Glenn said he is expected to be ready for the regular-season opener. Rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq also remains out of practice as he works back from his own injury. Pittsburgh first-round pick Max Iheanachor is unlikely to play with an upper-body injury, leaving veteran Dylan Cook to handle the bulk of the reps at right tackle.
Jets coach Aaron Glenn would not commit to which players will play Friday, saying only that "the players are going to play" and that "things can change as we get closer to game time," a comment that suggests Geno Smith and other starters could see the field again after limited work in the opener.
Pittsburgh's backup defense produced five sacks and seven tackles for loss in a 28-9 win over Green Bay last week, holding the Packers to six points after their own starters were pulled. New York managed just 16 points in a 24-16 loss to Tampa Bay, with rookie Cade Klubnik taking only eight dropbacks behind the projected backups.
Margin of Victory
Kalshi traders give New York a 48% probability of winning by more than 1.5 points, as of this writing.
Point Total
Kalshi traders give the game a 55% probability of going over 36.5 combined points, as of this writing.
AFC East Division
Kalshi traders have New York at 4% to win the AFC East, third among the division's four teams.
AFC North Division
Kalshi traders have Pittsburgh at 19% to win the AFC North, third among the division's four teams.
The Takeaway:
Kalshi markets now predict:
When is Jets vs. Steelers? Friday, August 21, 2026, with kickoff at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Where is the game? Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
How can I watch? Nationally on NFL Network.
What is Kalshi's current number? New York and Pittsburgh are priced at 50% each, as of this writing.
Kalshi's market has settled at 50/50 heading into kickoff, with Pittsburgh again sitting Aaron Rodgers while its young quarterbacks and backup defense carry the workload.
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