Steelers Make Walton’s Return a Success : AFC: Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator, who coached the Jets for seven years, comes back as a winner.

The New York Jets were in double trouble Sunday.

Their offense, designed by former coach Joe Walton, didn’t do much, while the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense, also designed by Walton, did plenty.

Bubby Brister threw for two touchdowns as the Steelers, who now have Walton on their side as offensive coordinator, continued their mastery of the Jets, beating them, 24-7.

Ken O’Brien threw two critical interceptions, something that has hurt him throughout his eight-year career, including seven when Walton coached the Jets.

“He was staring at his receivers,” said Pittsburgh linebacker David Little, who had one of those interceptions. “He wasn’t looking them off, so we had success reading him, especially when he was going over the middle.”

Both pickoffs--Larry Griffin had the other--came on passes over the middle as the Steelers (6-5) won for the 11th time in 12 meetings with the Jets (4-8) and moved into a tie with Cincinnati atop the AFC Central.

“I really feel bad for the guys when I make a mistake, a crucial mistake,” O’Brien said. “It was just stupid on my part and there are no excuses for it.

“We talked about it all week. I made a very bad decision on the interceptions. It’s inexcusable.”

Brister, who completed 18 of 24 passes, threw five yards to Warren Williams for a touchdown in the second quarter and three yards to Louis Lipps for a score with 7:36 left to play. “I’m really happy for Joe,” Brister said. “I don’t know what happened here all those years, but I know it wasn’t Joe.”

Walton was fired by the Jets last December, and this was his first game back in the New York area.

The normally stoic Walton was smiling as he greeted the familiar faces of New York reporters.

“Any time you walk out of here with a win, it’s a good feeling,” said Walton, who heard several serenades of ‘Joe Must Go.’

“They were playing my song. It wouldn’t have been the same if they didn’t. It never bothered me before and it doesn’t bother me now. It never will.”

He said he felt for O’Brien, who was benched in the fourth quarter after completing nine of 17 passes for 117 yards.

O’Brien also was called on to quick-kick in the second quarter and his short punt set up the Steelers’ first touchdown.

“We talked about (doing) it all week, in a situation like that,” O’Brien said. “Obviously, it didn’t work out.”

Tied, 7-7, at the half, the Steelers took the lead by turning a mistake into a drive-saving first down.

Punter Dan Stryzinski tried to run with a bad snap and, as he was being wrapped up by John Booty, lateraled to David Johnson, who went nine yards for a first down at the Steeler 40.

From the Jet 47, Brister passed to Mike Mularkey for 28 yards on a flea-flicker, leading to Gary Anderson’s 33-yard field goal.