Steelers, Russell Wilson Roar Back to Wallop Jets, 37-15

PITTSBURGH — It did not start out the dynamic passing exhibition that may have been hoped for, but Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers offense roared into life late, scoring 31 unanswered points in a 37-15 win over the New York Jets in Wilson’s first action with the team.

Wilson made his first start of the 2024 season after missing the first six games of the campaign while rehabbing a right calf injury. Wilson first injured his leg pushing a sled on the first day of training camp, returned after a month off, and then re-injured it in the week of practice leading up to the season opener.

The 35-year-old did not use his legs much, but his arm — and a couple of huge interceptions by rookie cornerback Beanie Bishop — did enough to give the Steelers the win.

Wilson completed 16 of 29 for 264 yards, threw for two touchdowns, and ran for a third. He did not turn the ball over, was sacked just once and posted a 109 passer rating.

By far his favorite target on the evening was George Pickens, who scored his first touchdown of the season in a hugely productive game. Pickens caught five of nine targets for 111 yards and the score, his second 100-yard game of the season.

Early on, Wilson and company moved the ball just fine but struggled in the red zone. The Steelers had to settle for field goals after each of their first two long drives.

After some uncharacteristic missed tackles and a critical personal foul penalty, the Jets marched down the field to find the end zone first on a Breece Hall scoring scamper.

Aaron Rodgers added on later in the second quarter with a touchdown pass to a wide-open tight end Tyler Conklin and got a two-point conversion after a controversial penalty call on Minkah Fitzpatrick as he blocked the extra point.

The game changed when Bishop intercepted Rodgers just before the half. Wilson took the ball at the Pittsburgh 46 and four plays later, connected with Pickens on a fade in the back of the end zone.

Early in the third quarter, Bishop picked off Rodgers again, this time returning it all the way to the Jets’ 1-yard line, where Wilson scored on a quarterback sneak.

The next big play came from the Steelers’ special teams, as Dean Lowry blocked a New York field goal to keep three points off the board. The Steelers got Najee Harris going on the ensuing drive as he broke off a 34-yarder to set the Steelers up in the red zone. Wilson cashed in for a four-yard scoring strike to Van Jefferson.

Harris finished with 102 yards on 21 carries, and Jaylen Warren added 44 yards on 12 carries in his most extensive action since returning from a knee sprain.

The Jets got 141 all-purpose yards from Hall but couldn’t consistently put drives together against the Steelers’ defense. Rodgers finished 24 of 39 for 276 yards, one touchdown, the two picks, and was sacked once by Larry Ogunjobi.

The Steelers improved to 5-2 with the victory. They’ll stay at home for another prime-time matchup against the New York Giants next Monday.