The winning kick broke a six-game losing streak for the Jets (2-8), who stormed the field after the victory and celebrated in a huge circle around Nugent.

Thomas Jones had 117 yards on 30 carries, becoming the first running back in 35 games to reach 100 yards against the top-ranked Steelers defense. Leon Washington set up the win by returning a punt 26 yards to the Steelers 26.

After three runs by Jones for 6 yards, and before a huge contingent of Steelers fans making the trip from Pittsburgh, Nugent lined up and booted the field goal — his fourth of the game — that sent the Jets to their first win since beating Miami in Week 3.

New York did it by unexpectedly being able to run against the Steelers (7-3) almost at will, and sacking Ben Roethlisberger a season-high seven times. The Jets, whose pass rush has been criticized all season, had just nine sacks entering the game.

Nugent tied it at 16 on a 28-yard field goal that capped a 13-play, 76-yard drive with 23 seconds remaining in regulation.

Kellen Clemens, who had a 15-yard scramble on the drive, hit Chris Baker down the middle for 14 yards to bring the ball to the 5. After Clemens spiked it, he missed a diving Brad Smith in the back of the end zone. The Jets were then called for delay of game to put the ball at the 10. Clemens went after Smith again, but overthrew him in the end zone to set up Nugent's kick.

Clemens finished 14-of-31 for 162 yards and one touchdown with an interception to win for the first time in three NFL starts.

Roethlisberger finished 15-of-25 for 195 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Pittsburgh came in leading the league in overall defense, rushing defense, passing defense and scoring. The Steelers hadn't allowed a 100-yard rusher since Edgerrin James' 124-yard effort for Indianapolis in Week 12 of the 2005 season.

Jeff Reed's 48-yard field goal, his third of the game, gave the Steelers their first lead at 16-13 with 8:41 remaining. It was the ninth straight field goal Reed has made in the fourth quarter.

Deshea Townsend intercepted Clemens on second down, but the Jets got the ball back three plays later. Shaun Ellis knocked the ball out of Roethlisberger's hand for a strip sack and the big defensive end picked up the ball and returned it 6 yards to give the Jets another chance.

After the Jets got 5 yards on their first three plays, New York went for it on fourth down and Clemens overthrew Justin McCareins.

Pittsburgh went three-and-out, and Clemens then moved the Jets down the field for the tying field goal.

The Jets took a 7-0 lead on Chris Baker's 1-yard catch 2:11 into the game.

After Jones opened with an 11-yard run, he helped perfectly execute a flea-flicker when he took the handoff, pitched back to Clemens and the Jets quarterback found Laveranues Coles wide open down the middle of the field. Coles, who missed the Jets' last game with a concussion, was taken down by Anthony Smith at the 1 for a 56-yard gain.

After Jones ran for no gain, Clemens pulled off a play-action fake and found Baker in the back of the end zone. Nugent kicked a 25-yard field goal to give New York a 10-0 lead, and added a 19-yarder as the first half expired.

Santonio Holmes' 7-yard touchdown catch-and-run for Pittsburgh made it 10-7 with 9:04 left in the first half.