Russell Wilson Accomplishes Rare Feat in Steelers Win over Commanders
Mike Tomlin’s bold move to insert Russell Wilson into the starting lineup over Justin Fields has certainly paid off for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers are 3-0 under Wilson and the passing game has been significantly better. Wilson has completed 58.8% of his passes for 737 yards, six touchdowns, one interception, and a 105.9 quarterback rating. The Steelers are also averaging 30.3 points per game in three games under Wilson.
Wilson’s three touchdown passes in Sunday’s 28-27 win over the Washington Commanders was the most by a Steelers quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger threw three on Dec. 9, 2021 in a 36-28 loss to Minnesota. Wilson is also currently just two touchdowns away from having the most touchdowns in a season for a Steelers quarterback since Roethlisberger retired following the 2021 season. Yes, in three games, Wilson already has the same amount of touchdown passes that Kenny Pickett had the entire season last year.
Wilson delivered one of his vintage moon balls to newly acquired wide receiver Mike Williams for a 32-yard game-winning touchdown. It was Williams only catch of the game, but it came at the most important time.
“It was a big-time catch by Mike. I just tried to give him a chance,” Wilson said. “Let him do his thing. The guy has three-plus 1,000-yard seasons over his career. A guy who’s made plays. A guy who’s facing adversity. You love it when guys face adversity and come through at the other end of it.”
Welcome to Pittsburgh, Mike Williams. pic.twitter.com/Uz2lntk2gK
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2024
Tomlin was impressed with Wilson’s perfect deep ball to Williams, but it’s nothing knew. Wilson’s moon ball has been a staple of his throughout his 13-year career.
“I’ve seen it a few times on highlight shows. It’s a little bit better in person. Believe it,” Tomlin said.
Russell Wilson was efficient on passes over 10 air yards in the Steelers’ win, finishing 5-of-10 for 119 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT (+15.4% CPOE), according to Next Gen Stats. Since becoming the starter in Week 7, Wilson ranks 3rd among QBs in CPOE (+12.1%) and EPA (+27.2) over 10 air yards.
Tomlin told Jay Glazer of Fox Sports last month that he was a lone ranger in the decision to start Wilson. It was a controversial move at the time, but it indeed was the right decision.
“I can appreciate Mike Tomlin even more now,” former NFL wide receiver Nate Burleson said on CBS’ NFL Today. “He was getting a lot of flak for pulling Justin Fields and then putting Russell Wilson into the lineup. Everyone is questioning, ‘How do you do that when you have a winning record and it seems like everything is good? If this goes wrong, it’s going to all come crashing down on the head coach.’ He was right. He was right. This offense has a better flow. There is this dynamic of the long ball that wasn’t there before. And you see the growth of Pickens and that combination with Russell Wilson throwing that looping moon ball. It’s not a 50/50 ball when it’s him and the DB. It’s more like 90/10, 95/5. Like that guy is showing up every time that ball is up in the air, so I just appreciate Mike Tomlin for making that decision.”
"I can appreciate Mike Tomlin even more now."@nateburleson revisits Tomlin's controversial decision to bench Justin Fields in favor of Russell Wilson earlier this season. pic.twitter.com/PqXsBDTN8G
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 10, 2024
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