PITTSBURGH — A few boos rained down on Acresure Stadium two series after Russell Wilson made his first start as quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers went three-and-out on the second series after Wilson’s promising go-ahead drive fizzled out of field goal range. On the next drive, the boos got even louder after another three-and-out. In the next series, three consecutive three-and-outs added to the crowd’s frustration.
At that moment, small chants of “Justin, Justin” began to echo throughout the stadium. field. Justin. Fields. ”
The 35-year-old was coming off two tumultuous seasons in Denver when Steelers coach Mike Tomlin made the somewhat drastic decision this week to move on from Fields, amid a 4-2 start to the season. He had confidence in his QB. . Perhaps this change will help take the offense to a new level? Perhaps the offense will crumble behind Wilson, and so will the Steelers’ season?
No one knew exactly how it would unfold. The only certainty was that the decision would be heavily scrutinized.
Asked about the potential change Friday, Tomlin said, “I accept the decision,” placing the blame squarely on his own shoulders.
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While Wilson was out with an injury, Justin Fields was playing his best football as a pro. Many in Pittsburgh are already looking to the former Bear as the future behind center, given that he’s only 25 years old, flashes a dynamic element on the ground, and is growing as a passer, and the realignment will include I was resisting. In a shaky first quarter, it looked like Tomlin’s pivot to Wilson might backfire as Wilson completed just two passes.
“It felt like playoff baseball in the sense that we started 0-for-2, but it felt like it was going to get hot,” Wilson said. “I kept telling coach (Tomlin) we were going to get hot here. Sure enough, we did.”
Tomlin did not change his mind and was ultimately found not guilty.
A game that started with a question for the quarterback ended with palpable tension in the stadium and Najee Harris jumping into the stands to celebrate a 37-15 victory over the New York Jets. Wilson completed 16 of 29 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown on a QB sneak, helping the Steelers go 5-2.
In doing so, Wilson fulfilled his coach’s trust. For the first time in weeks, there is no question as to which quarterback will or should start next week. Until something fundamentally changes, it’s Wilson’s job.
“I thought (Wilson) was great,” Tomlin said. “I thought he was getting better as the game went on. But I’m not surprised by that. It’s been a while since he played the ball. But I thought he was settling in, shaking off the rust and moving the ball around.” I thought it was dispersed.”
In his first start as a Steeler, Wilson sparked the offense, scoring 31 unanswered points. In many ways, the offense reached a level it hasn’t seen in a while, showing balance and the ability to showcase key playmakers.
Wilson spread the ball out to six pass catchers, showing the comfort of a quarterback with Super Bowl experience and 13 seasons in the NFL. Receiver Van Jefferson scored his first touchdown as a Steeler. Tight end Darnell Washington showed he can be more than just a blocker. Pat Freiermuth gained a lot of yards after the catch.
But no one benefited more from the quarterback change than receiver George Pickens.
Wilson said the quarterback sat by the receiver’s side and tried to keep Pickens engaged during several moments of frustration after Pickens’ game against the Dallas Cowboys two weeks ago. On Sunday, their two skill sets proved to be a stylistic match. Wilson brought his trademark moonball and Pickens’ Madden-like catch radius, and the third-year receiver had five catches for 111 yards and a touchdown.
“George is very talented,” Wilson said. “He makes it easy for the quarterback. He knows how to open up. He knows how to make plays. His ability to compete and make catches is remarkable.”
To put his performance into perspective, Pickens was often defended in man coverage by standout cornerback Sauce Gardner. He anchored a secondary that limited opponents to the second-fewest receiving yards per game (148.8) despite missing several key defensive backs. Rather than avoid that matchup, the Steelers seized the opportunity. And we won.
“They played a lot of man-to-man situations,” Pickens said. “When you find yourself in a situation like that, you definitely have to take advantage of it.”
As time expired in the first half and the Steelers led 15-6, Pittsburgh appeared to be in another classic low-scoring lock fight. But when undrafted rookie defensive back Beanie Bishop saw film of the Green Bay Packers taking Davante Adams and noticed the play, he jumped the route and hit Aaron Rodgers. I intercepted it. The Steelers offense took advantage of the miscue and drove 54 yards in four plays and 48 seconds. Wilson connected with Pickens on a fade to the right corner of the end zone to conclude the drive.
George Pickens’ 11-yard touchdown brought the Steelers within two points with 32 seconds left in the first half. (Barry Rieger/Imagine Images)
“When I threw that first touchdown to George, I thought at that moment there’s going to be a lot more of this,” Wilson said.
A late score near the end of the first half brought the Steelers within two points and turned the tide in their favor. From there, in the second half, the offense stepped up its gear.
The Steelers displayed a balance that didn’t work at times. Pittsburgh’s ground game entered the second half, with Harris breaking the 100-yard mark for the second straight game with 102 yards.
With the Steelers leading 16-15 midway through the third quarter, Bishop turned the tide again with his second interception of Rodgers. This time, he returned to the 1-yard line and set up Wilson’s QB sneak, giving the Steelers a 23-15 lead.
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From there they started rolling.
“This is the most efficient I’ve been in the years I’ve been here,” said Harris, who is entering his fourth season. “Normally you turn things around late in the season. But for something like this to happen this early and to continue this momentum, I think it’s a harbinger of what’s to come.”
That sense of optimism was felt all along the Pittsburgh sideline.
For years, the Steelers have amassed a winning record in familiar fashion. More often than not, the defense takes the upper hand or at least creates a timely, game-changing splash play. And offensively, the Steelers have done enough to win. The truth is, the Steelers have won countless games despite their offense in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era.
The way the second half played out, there was reason to believe this offense could reach another level and that Wilson could help make that change.
“I feel like we have this young offensive line, some very talented young players. We’re really on the cusp of getting really good and being great,” Wilson said. “We have to keep looking for that edge.”
It’s just one game against a dysfunctional Jets team, but this could be the start. If the Steelers continue to play the same level of defense for the majority of the season, move the ball as efficiently as they have in the past two games, and get the spark they need from their quarterback, perhaps this team can make some noise in January. Probably.
“I believe that part of my job, having been involved in the game here for 13 years, is to take the players to their limits and make them understand that we have to go there and we can’t wait. ” Wilson said. “The biggest thing right now is that we still have a lot of room to grow, and we’re going to work towards that.”
After Sunday, there should be no question as to which quarterback will be the starter. The new question is how far a veteran QB can take them.
(Top photo of George Pickens and Russell Wilson: Charles LeClaire / Imagn Images)
