The Pittsburgh Steelers are sitting atop the AFC North at 8-2 after beating the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11. This isn't how many envisioned the Steelers' season unfolding, especially not when they started Justin Fields in place of an injured Russell Wilson for the first several weeks. However, Wilson is currently 4-0 in black and gold. Despite the winning record, Wilson still has room to grow and improve within this Steelers offense.
The national media questioned Head Coach Mike Tomlin's decision to start Wilson since Fields was winning. Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowler who won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks, was run out of town by his last team, the Denver Broncos, and their head coach, Sean Payton. Cast as the villain in the story of the Broncos' failure, Wilson has been called a selfish diva. There were even rumors that Steelers Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith was unhappy with him.
However, Wilson has been successful in Pittsburgh. In four games, his completion percentage is 60.3%, and he's thrown 73 passes for 942 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions. Even though the team found success, many felt like Wilson took a step back against the Ravens. In Week 10 against the Washington Commanders, Wilson didn't play his best football and still managed to score three touchdowns. That made the fact that Pittsburgh won thanks to six Chris Boswell field goals even more alarming.
Former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch recently spoke with Randy Baumann and the DVE Morning Show on 102.5 WDVE about the game. Baumann said that despite Wilson not having his best statistical game, he didn't get the feeling of concern or dread he used to get when Fields struggled. He said it felt like there was potential, and the Steelers just needed to catch a break. Batch, who spent 11 seasons in Pittsburgh, primarily as Ben Roethlisberger's backup, said he thinks Wilson will continue to settle into this offense and improve.
"When you look back, there were opportunities for Russell [Wilson] to take those shots, but it was some tight throws, and Russell didn't want to take a chance on that," explained Batch. "He was making the easy completions; that's why there was a lot of check downs so he can stay within the sticks, but ultimately, when they weren't able to convert on third down, that's where the issues started to happen there. So I think this is gonna be a game where they start thinking back and say, 'Ok Russ, it's ok to take those shots down the field, especially the way that the defense was playing."
Wilson's second interception of the season came during the recent Ravens game. The Steelers were showing improvement in the fourth quarter and were systematically driving down the field. After all of the earlier red zone struggles, success felt nearly certain. Wilson, who used to be known for his ability to escape defenses, channeled his inner Harry Houdini and managed to avoid what certainly appeared to be a sack. Instead, he threw the ball over 6'7" tight end Darnell Washington's head in the end zone.
Pittsburgh is now in the thick of the toughest part of their schedule and cannot afford Wilson to have off days. They still have to play several excellent teams and can't rely on Boswell to win every time.
Steelers Continue To Be Disrespected In The AFC
Despite beating the Ravens, who many say have the best offense in the NFL with quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Steelers are still not getting the respect they deserve. Each week, they hear that they haven't played anybody of substance yet. Now that they have defeated Jackson, who is favored to win his third MVP Award, they are just being outright disrespected.
Former New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick said that the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills are the best teams in the AFC, and all roads to the playoffs run through them. The Steelers historically play the best when they are counted out, like when they won Super Bowl XL; perhaps this disrespect will act as fuel.
