PITTSBURGH — If you squint, you might feel as though you’re back in 2014 instead of witnessing events in 2024. Russell Wilson, shifting to his right while the Cincinnati pass rush pressed in, managed to evade the chaos. A quick flick of his wrist located an open teammate, transforming turmoil into jubilation.
It seems Wilson still retains his skills at the age of 36, even after a tumultuous two-year run in Denver that ended poorly, leaving the franchise forking over tens of millions just to see him leave. Despite the toll of a lingering calf injury that showed itself over summer and into fall, suggesting a superstar on the decline, Wilson kept a positive outlook, believing he still had something to give.
His confidence appears justified. The highlight of a thrilling 44-38 triumph over the Bengals was his unique touchdown pass to Pat Freiermuth—an innovative “look right, throw left” maneuver—within a remarkable 414-yard performance, reminiscent of his prime days. Wilson rebounded from an early pick-6 to secure his fifth victory in six games, thus effectively squashing the Bengals’ slim hopes of competing in the 2024 season after a bounce-back from a shaky performance against the Browns.
“This gives us tremendous momentum,” commented Wilson. “We have to channel it properly. We need to respond and improve in our next game.”
Despite his focus on the present, Wilson’s current performance is making a strong case for him to remain in Pittsburgh for the foreseeable future. Over the last half-dozen matches, he has reinvigorated his career, becoming the impactful quarterback the Steelers have lacked since Ben Roethlisberger’s prime.
While his next contract may not come at a bargain—reminiscent of the Falcons signing Kirk Cousins to a hefty $180 million deal—Wilson’s growth and increasing comfort are obvious each week. In the past month alone, he led a victory in Washington, outperformed Lamar Jackson, excelled in snowy conditions in Cleveland, and dissected one of the league’s weakest defenses with a confidence rare even in practice scenarios, let alone a crucial divisional matchup in December.
His 29 completions reached ten different receivers, a strategy that fosters goodwill among teammates. Each time the Bengals took the lead in the first half, Wilson and the Steelers responded vigorously, silencing critics who doubted his prowess.
Far from being “cooked,” Wilson is demonstrating that as the season progresses, expectations that began cautiously are evolving into something much more significant.
On the upside, the scouting of linebackers has paid off. In only 18 months, the Steelers have welcomed Elandon Roberts, Patrick Queen, Nick Herbig, and Payton Wilson to a unit already featuring T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Roberts and Queen were signed via free agency, while Herbig and Wilson joined through the draft, somehow remaining available mid-round despite their commendable college careers.
All four linebackers played pivotal roles against Cincinnati, with a crucial scoop-and-score from Herbig and Wilson helping to solidify the game’s outcome.
However, a point of concern lies with Joey Porter Jr.’s approach. The young cornerback possesses the right attributes to succeed, yet he seems to struggle with understanding appropriate moments to engage during coverage. He incurred four penalties in Cincinnati and is among the league’s most flagged defensive backs. With elite quarterbacks on their horizon, it’s essential for him to reduce infractions moving forward.
In terms of player stock trends, Dan Moore Jr.’s position as Pittsburgh’s left tackle appeared precarious three months ago. Expectations were high for Troy Fautanu after being drafted, but an injury halted his rookie year, turning to Broderick Jones instead. Surprisingly, Moore has outperformed expectations, effectively managing to contain NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson while allowing Wilson the freedom to operate.
Conversely, George Pickens, despite his immense talent, has displayed volatility. Earning two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties for impulsive actions following catches, he has yet to take accountability. Coach Mike Tomlin has signaled that it’s time for the 23-year-old Pickens to mature quickly, leaving fans to wonder if he is ready to do so as he nears the end of his third season.
Injury-wise, Highsmith (ankle) seems poised to return this week following a month on the sidelines, while WR Calvin Austin III’s condition remains uncertain after entering concussion protocol on Sunday.
A key statistical note: 21—this represents the continuous non-losing seasons for the Steelers, with Tomlin leading 18 of those years. This achievement of 21 straight seasons at .500 or better matches the longest streak in NFL history, coinciding with the Dallas Cowboys from 1965-1985.
As the Steelers prepare for another challenge, the focus will be on avoiding stumbles against the Browns when they visit Acrisure Stadium this Sunday.