Russel Wilson throttled it up, putting in a great game to deliver the Pittsburgh Steelers the hard-fought victory against the New York Jets; indeed, with his 3-touchdown showcase. His ability both to extend plays and to make them both by arm and legs was the difference maker in this tightly contested match as the Steelers managed to come out victorious at home with 27-17 victories.
Immediately, Wilson ran the attack, essentially orchestrating a balanced attack that kept the Jet’s defense scrambling from the start. He threw for two touchdowns and added another on the ground as he gave the Steelers dual-threat qualities that have made him so valuable to the team this season.
Pittsburgh put the first points of the game on the board very early in the first quarter, as Wilson capped an efficient five-play opening drive with a 25-yard touchdown to wide receiver Diontae Johnson. The score was the result of a deliberate series of plays that churned up a mix of short passes and runs against the Jets’ defense.
On defense for Pittsburgh, a steady barrage by the Steel Curtain against Zach Wilson of New York kept the New York offense quiet early in play. Watt and the rest of the Pittsburgh defense forced the Jets into a pair of three-and-outs, meaning Pittsburgh’s offense had more chances to run the tempo.
This time around, in the second quarter, Russell Wilson has been utilizing tight end Pat Freiermuth, who caught a 12-yard strike over the middle. The score puts Pittsburgh 14-3 ahead, making it tough for the Jets to stage a comeback since they haven’t quite found consistency on offense.
Down early, the Jets didn’t quit. The two were trading with back-to-back possessions into the late second quarter, culminating with Zach Wilson leading a 40-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Garrett Wilson to take it down to 14-10. The contrast of the two Wilsons typifies New York’s offense but makes it pretty clear that Zach Wilson still needs to figure some things out despite the Steelers’ pressure from their pass rush.
And the Jets’ defense tightened in the third quarter, and it was only a field goal that Pittsburgh could come up with as their offense contributed to that with another field goal of its own, so at the end of three quarters, the game was still a possession away at 17-13.
Really, though, the game was in the hands of Russell Wilson as the game entered the final quarter. Early on in fourth-quarter action, the veteran quarterback scrambles out of the pocket and runs into the end zone for a 10-yard rushing TD. And that score gave the Steelers a commanding two-possession cushion – and that was that.
New York might respond with a late touchdown drive, although Zach Wilson was orchestrating a methodical march down the field to cut the deficit to 24-17. Pittsburgh’s defense stiffened at that juncture, closing out the game, and Pittsburgh’s late field goal sealed up the win, sending the Steelers to 4-3 on the season and keeping them in the playoff conversation.
The Steelers’ defining factor for winning was the stellar play of Russell Wilson, who could be responsible for all three of Pittsburgh’s touchdowns as well as impart savvy leadership, especially when it mattered most, with poise that is characteristic of an older player. The return of Watt allowed the Steelers’ defense to trouble the Jets’ flow on offense constantly, at times making Zach Wilson struggle.
Jets: Zach Wilson flashed brilliance at times but was inconsistent overall and demonstrated lapses on defense. New York’s 3-5 puts them in a hole heading into the final half of the season.
Steelers: It appears that with Russell Wilson calling the shots for the Steelers, the team has finally begun to click into their groove. The Jets will need to work out their problems on both sides of offense and defense if they hope to keep within striking distance.
