The Russell Wilson era began at Acrisure Stadium with the Steelers 37-15 win over the New York Jets on Sunday Night Football. Although the 4-2 Steelers were welcoming a 2-4 Jets team to Pittsburgh, the game boasted a dramatic backstory:
- Despite his 4-2 record, Mike Tomlin was benching Justin Fields
- Fans griped about the move
- Someone on the South Side also griped loudly enough to air their displeasure in the national press
- Others entered the game openly musing about the Steelers “Maginot” offensive line
The Steelers head coach succeeded in tuning out the critics and skeptics for one simple reason: Mike Tomlin was playing the long game. And for one night at least, his gambit worked because his offense added the long ball to its game while his defense took it away.
Russell Wilson rolls out in his first start with the Steelers. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review
Steelers Generate Synergy in All Three Phases
Football is the ultimate team game. Eleven guys with very different body types, athletic profiles and skills sets must execute very distinct sets of responsibilities with clockwork precision. Even the smallest mistake by one individual can embarrass everyone (see the 1994 AFC Championship game).
So its ironic that football teams function in bubbles. Offenses, defenses and special teams operate independently of each other. Under most circumstances, the performance of one sphere only indirectly influences the others.
But when a team can synergize the performance of all three truly special things begin to happen.
And the Steelers win over the Jets illustrates that perfectly.
The Russell Wilson era opened with an 18-yard pass to Darnell Washington that was followed by a muddle of incomplete passes, punts and boos from the audience. Yes, a long run from Najee Harris and a deep throw to George Pickens provided flashes that this offense could produce something more.
But flashes disappear quickly and for 29 of the first 30 minutes, Chris Boswell once again appeared destined to be the offensive MVP for the first half of the game. But by minute 29 both the special teams and defense have put the wheels in motion to change that.
Two series earlier, the Jets scored a touchdown largely on the strength of an Aaron Rodgers to Breece Hall dump off that Hall transformed into a 57-yard romp through the Steelers defensive backfield.
- And then Minkah Fitzpatrick blocked the extra point.
Except he didn’t. The officials negated the block with a phantom leveraging call against Fitzpatrick. Jeff Ulbrich used his second chance to go for two, and the Jets converted.
Even before the Steelers punted away after just four plays later, the touchdown, non-block and 2-point conversion seemed to signal that a Jets rout was in the making. Instead, the sequence inspired the Steeler defense.
Aaron Rodgers, like other quarterbacks before him this season, thought targeting undrafted rookie free agent Beanie Bishop might be wise.
Beanie Bishop returns his second interception. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review
But you know the good thing about undrafted rookie free agents? They know they have to work harder. And Bishop put in the work, identifying one of Rogers and Davante Adams’ favorite plays from their days in Green Bay.
So with just 1:15 left in the half, Rogers tried to hit Adams with a field-flipping deep pass, and Bishop read it perfectly, and reached behind his body to get the interception. The long ball failed the Jets.
Working the one-minute drill with the poise and calm that only a veteran can muster, Russell Wilson dialed up not one, but two moon passes to George Pickens. Wilson had hit Pickens and Freiermuth on deep balls before, only to see those drives stall. But he got the Sauce Gardner’s attention who interfered with the pass, setting the Steelers up in the Red Zone with 43 seconds remaining.
Two plays later, Russell Wilson hit George Pickens with a fade pass 11 yards into the end zone.
The first half was over. The Steelers were still down 15-13, but they were in the driver’s seat.
Defense and Special Teams Decisive in Second Half
The Steelers opened the second half by forcing a Jets punt and then using another Wilson to Pickett “moon pass” to set up a go ahead field goal.
- But it was the defense and special teams authored the second half’s decisive plays.
Two plays into his second possession Aaron Rodgers again tried to strike deep into Pittsburgh territory. Whether Garrett Wilson was hearing Joey Porter Jr.’s footsteps or just had a hands of stone moment, the pass bounced off of his hands and right into those of Beanie Bishop, who returned the ball 41 yards to New York’s one.
- Russell Wilson snuck it in from the one to put Pittsburgh up 23-15
Undaunted, the Jets mounted another drive, reaching the Steelers 17. After three incomplete passes, the Jets tried a field goal, when Danny Smith’s special teams struck again, this time with Dean Lowry blocking the kick.
11 plays later, Russell Wilson was hitting Van Jefferson for his first touchdown in Pittsburgh, putting the Steelers up 30-15.
Defense: From Beanie Bishop to Bread and Butter
While rookie Beanie Bishop deserves full credit for authoring the plays that shifted momentum and then sealed the outcome for Pittsburgh, that should not overshadow an outstanding job by the rest of the defense.
Yes, the Jets did score two touchdowns early in the game, and both drives looked too easy.
But as he has done all season long, Teryl Austin adjusted. Credit the New York offensive staff for finding a way to neutralize T.J. Watt’s pass rush. But also credit other players for stepping up.
- Larry Ogunjobi stepped up with the only sack of the night.
- Keeanu Benton batted down two passes – one in coverage and another at the line of scrimmage
- DeShon Elliott was everywhere, and when wasn’t Peyton Wilson took his place
- Alex Highsmith may not have had flashy stats, but he sealed the edge and pressured Rogers
The last time the Steelers played on Sunday night, the defense also authored two turnovers and the special teams blocked a kick. But the Steelers lost on large part because it couldn’t get a simple stop against the Cowboys when they needed it.
Against the Jets they made those bread-and-butter place, and that was the difference.
Glimpse of the Russell Wilson Offense?
Russell Wilson’s “moon passes” to George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth gave the offense a spark that it had been missing all season long. But they were only possible because a make-shift offensive line made sure Wilson had enough time to throw.
More importantly, the line opened holes for Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren to run.
And, for the first time in a long, long time, an opposing defense was forced to respect both the run and the pass when playing the Steelers.
The first results of the Russell Wilson offense were refreshing indeed.
