Russell Wilson Tabbed as Worst QB in Playoffs
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson might have an advantage with playoff experience and success, but he’s struggled immensely during the team’s four-game losing streak. He hasn’t thrown over 217 yards in a game dating back to Week 14.
Russell Wilson also ranks 30th out of 31 qualified quarterbacks in EPA per drop back over the last five weeks of the season. With his deep decline, it’s hard to disagree with Dan Pizzuta of The 33rd Team tabbing Wilson as the worst quarterback in the playoffs.
“When Russell Wilson first came in as Pittsburgh’s starter, he rode some explosive downfield throws to victory. But in recent games without George Pickens on the field, those disappeared. Then, when Pickens returned against the Ravens in Week 18, they did not reappear,” Pizzuta wrote.
“Which version of the Steelers offense shows up? If Wilson’s moonballs don’t hit at a high rate — or even his willingness to throw them, which has gone from 15 percent from Weeks 7-13 to 11.4 percent since Week 14 — then Wilson doesn’t have much else to rely on. Since Week 14, he’s averaged -0.15 EPA per play, mostly due to the lack of deep ball impact.”
While Wilson is deemed the worst quarterback in the playoffs, the Steelers’ opponent on Saturday night possesses the best QB in the playoff pool.
“Lamar Jackson is either going to win his third MVP and second in two seasons or come incredibly close. Whether he wins or not, he improved as a player during his 2023 season,” Pizzuta wrote. “He was better in the pocket and eliminated nearly every weakness. One of those was his play against the blitz. During the regular season, he finished first in EPA per play and success rate when blitzed.
“There will be some dumb and unwarranted narratives around ‘Can he do it in the playoffs,’ but he’s improved so much that there is no one way to try to defend him. Even potentially without Zay Flowers, the Baltimore offensive structure is so much better that Jackson won’t single-handedly have to carry the offense — but he’s now more well-equipped than ever to do so.”
On Thursday, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh ruled out Pro Bowl wide receiver Zay Flowers (knee) against the Steelers. Not having Flowers is a big loss for the Ravens offense, but Jackson will still have Rashod Bateman and an elite duo of tight ends in Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely.
The Steelers historically play well against Jackson, but the two-time MVP carved Pittsburgh up in their last meeting in Week 16, completing 66.7% of his passes for 207 yards with three touchdowns, one interception, and a quarterback rating of 115.4.
Jackson has struggled in the postseason, as well. Along with being 2-4 in the postseason, Jackson has completed 57.4% of his passes for 1,324 yards with six touchdowns, six interceptions, and a passer rating of 75.7.
Jackson contributed some of his past postseason struggles due to being too antsy.
“Yes, I’m [usually] just too excited — that’s all,” Jackson said. “[I’m] too antsy, that’s all. I’m seeing things before it happens, like, ‘Oh, I have to calm myself down.’ But just being more experienced, I’ve found a way to balance it out.”
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