LANDOVER, Md. — Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens made an insane 16-yard touchdown grab to give the Steelers an early 7-0 lead against the Washington Commanders on Sunday at Northwest Stadium. Pickens tracked the ball in the air and displayed outstanding body control on the touchdown catch.
Russell Wilson put some elevation on the pass to Pickens. It’s Pickens second touchdown grab of the season and the second from Wilson. Wilson connected to Pickens on a 11-yard touchdown in the Steelers’ Week 7 win over the New York Jets.
Washington tied the game at 7-7 after a fake punt pass by Miles Killebrew to James Pierre fell incomplete from the Steelers 16-yard line. Pierre just dropped the ball. Three plays later, Austin Ekeler plunged in for a 1-yard touchdown.
GEORGE PICKENS TD OH MY
📺: #PITvsWAS on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/rFXdORC9VE— NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2024
Wilson’s vintage moon ball has been on display this season. He hit a beauty to Pickens in stride for a 45-yard gain in the Week 8 win over the New York Giants.
“It was a great route by him, honestly,” Wilson said of Pickens’ grab. “Great protection. He made a heck of a route. Almost toe-tapped, stayed in, scored there.”
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin praised the Wilson to Pickens connection, saying, “Again, I’m getting used to taking a look at it. I know if you give George an opportunity, he’s going to come down with it. But Russ is doing a lot of things well.”
The passing game has significantly improved under Wilson. Coming into Sunday’s game, Wilson completed 63.2% of his passes for 542 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, and had a quarterback rating of 111.9. The offense also racked up over 400 yards and 30+ points in each of the wins over the Jets and Giants.
The Steelers sent a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to the Jets in exchange for Williams on Tuesday. Williams did not receive first-team reps against the Commanders on Sunday, but he will eventually be the No. 2 wideout. It appears the Steelers are just trying to get him acclimated into the offense.