Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback Russell Wilson continues to make Mike Tomlin look like a genius following a 26-18 victory over the New York Giants. Although Tomlin’s decision to name Wilson the starter in Week 7 was met with skepticism, it was the right move.
Wilson excelled against the Giants on “Monday Night Football,” as he turned back the clock with several impressive throws. Could Wilson be the missing piece for Pittsburgh’s postseason success?
Mike Tomlin’s Trust in Russell Wilson Immediately Rewarded
The Steelers began the regular season 4-2 with Justin Fields as the team’s starting quarterback. Despite Pittsburgh’s success with Fields at QB, Tomlin decided it was time for a change and made the bold decision to start Wilson in Week 7.
After defeating the New York Jets and New York Giants in back-to-back weeks, Pittsburgh’s offense appears to be firing on all cylinders with Wilson leading the charge. It’s clear that Tomlin’s gamble has paid off thus far.
Brandon Marshall stops by the postgame presser and asks Mike Tomlin if it was one of his boldest decisions to start Russell Wilson.
Tomlin: “that’s why I’m well-compensated.” pic.twitter.com/fQ5bdMsOtA
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) October 21, 2024
Through the first six weeks of the regular season, the Steelers averaged just 20.6 points per game. Since Wilson was named the starter, Pittsburgh has averaged 31.5 points per game.
Following Pittsburgh’s dominant 37-15 victory over the Jets in Week 7, Tomlin was asked by former NFL wide receiver Brandon Marshall if his decision to name Wilson the starter was one of his boldest.
“That’s why I’m well-compensated,” Tomlin said before he abruptly ended his press conference.
Was Wilson the Missing Piece to Pittsburgh’s Playoff Success?
Pittsburgh’s offense has ascended to a completely different level with Wilson as the team’s starting quarterback. Tomlin’s quarterback change has transformed one of the worst offenses in the NFL into one of the top three offenses in the league today.
In six games with Fields as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback, the Steelers averaged just 298.3 total yards per game, which ranked 26th.
In Wilson’s first two starts, the Steelers have averaged 417.5 total yards per game, which would currently rank third in the NFL, trailing only the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers.
Considering the Steelers still have two divisional matchups remaining against the Ravens, Wilson’s resurgence should help Pittsburgh compete with the NFL’s top offense in total yards per game.
Wilson’s performance against the Giants was incredibly efficient, as he completed 20 of his 28 passes for 278 yards and one touchdown. Wilson had just one incomplete pass in the second half on “Monday Night Football” in Week 8.
While many believed Wilson’s best days were in the past, his performance on Monday night proved that “Russell Wilson is still him,” according to AMF on X (formerly Twitter).
Russell Wilson is still him
— AMF (@therealtonef) October 29, 2024
If the Steelers are going to have success in the postseason, they’re going to need Wilson to keep elevating the offense to new heights. In Pittsburgh’s last two postseason appearances, the offense struggled mightily.
In the 2023 playoffs, the Steelers scored 17 points and had 324 total yards of offense in a 31-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills. In the 2021 playoffs, Pittsburgh scored 21 points and had just 257 yards of total offense in a 42-21 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Despite having plenty of postseason success in the franchise’s history, Pittsburgh has struggled in recent years. If Wilson continues to play at an elite level, Tomlin and the Steelers could earn their first playoff win since Jan. 15, 2017.
