Pittsburgh Steelers broad receiver George Pickens (14), defended by Washington Commanders cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, catches a 16-yard go for a landing through the first half of an NFL soccer recreation, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. in Landover, Maryland. (AP Picture/Nick Wass)
PITTSBURGH — On the floor, the decision was dangerous, however solely to those that weren't being attentive to how the Pittsburgh Steelers go about issues as of late.
Recovered within the first quarter in opposition to Washington on Sunday and getting ready to punt, All-Professional Miles Killebrew, serving as a fullback, noticed one of many Chiefs' sharpshooters sneak down the road of scrimmage to assist with a possible block, leaving the l on teammate. James Pierre alone exterior.
So Killebrew, the captain of maybe the most effective particular groups within the NFL, did what longtime coordinator Danny Smith empowered him to do: gamble, taking the play and throwing a go to an open Pierre on the left sideline. Pierre, maybe exhibiting why he's a cornerback and never a large receiver by commerce, dropped it, giving the Chiefs flawless area place that they shortly changed into a landing.
In the long run it didn't matter. Not after the Steelers erased a 10-point second-half deficit to outscore Washington 28-27 and enhance to 7-2 in a recreation that in some ways symbolized the shift in tectonic plates that had lengthy dominated, maybe , the NFL's most secure franchise.
Zoom out, and Killebrew's determination merely suits with the heightened sense of urgency that has permeated each stage of the group over the previous 10 months.
Take into account this: The sport-winning landing was thrown by a quarterback (Russell Wilson) who wasn't on the roster in February or within the lineup till October. He was stunned by a large receiver (Mike Williams) who began final week as a member of the New York Jets.
Pittsburgh has spent the primary two seasons of the post-Ben Roethlisberger period making an attempt to do issues the best way it at all times has: methodically and pragmatically. Solely Kenny Pickett didn't handle. The offense continued to sputter below Matt Canada, and the NFL's costliest protection made sufficient performs to maintain the Steelers aggressive, however not sufficient to shut the hole between Pittsburgh and the AFC powers.
That chasm all of a sudden appears much more navigable than it did a month in the past, when Mike Tomlin thanked Justin Fields for his strong, if not at all times spectacular, play throughout a Four-2 begin and turned the offense over to Wilson. Fields had performed all the pieces Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith requested of him. He took care of the ball. He used his legs to make performs. He did all the pieces he might to not lose the matches.
The choice to go to Wilson, nevertheless, got here with a message that not shedding is now not adequate. The video games with Fields behind middle regarded like a lot of them during the last half decade or so – the protection stored issues tight and a play or two from the offense created a slim path to victory.
Nonetheless, the NFL's longest-tenured coach knew he hadn't seen sufficient. If Pittsburgh desires to finish a playoff win drought relationship again to the 2016 AFC championship — the longest postseason win streak for the reason that Immaculate Conception 52 years in the past — Tomlin knew his offense must be greater than helpful for the Steelers to catch the Kansas Cities. and Buffaloes of the World.
So it was again to Wilson, who silenced his doubters one after the other. The newest proof got here on that lob into the top zone within the remaining minutes to Williams, one thing Tomlin had seen in spotlight reveals however developed a higher appreciation for as he watched it play out in actual time proper in entrance of him .
There may be nonetheless an extended approach to go, in fact. The final two months embody six AFC North video games, a visit to Philadelphia and a Christmas Day showdown with Patrick Mahomes and the two-time defending Tremendous Bowl champion Chiefs.
If something could be taken from Pittsburgh's promising first half of the season, it's that it's now not snug with the established order. And Tomlin could have tipped his hand when he talked a few fourth-and-1 name within the remaining minute that led to Washington leaping offsides, permitting the Steelers to seal the sport.
Requested if Wilson was actually going to snap the ball if the quarterbacks didn't bounce, Tomlin smiled.
“We'll by no means know, will we?” Tomlin mentioned. “You all know I'm a degenerate.”
And I'm not happy with trusting the method anymore. Pittsburgh blew up the best way it usually does within the offseason. 9 video games in, the Steelers are reaping the advantages in a yr the place the cap appears to develop with every passing week.
what's up
Spreading the ball round. Wilson focused 9 totally different gamers — even third down tight finish MyCole Pruitt noticed — and says of Wilson's “throw it to anybody, anytime” strategy that his bomb to Williams marked the primary time he regarded in entrance of Williams all day .
Which wants assist
Not a lot for a staff that’s one recreation away from being 9-Zero. If Williams' arrival can create extra alternatives for George Pickens, the Steelers might have one of the potent offenses within the league, one thing they haven't had for the reason that peak of the “Killer B's” period within the late 2010s.
Provide
9 months after the Denver Broncos paid almost $40 million to let Wilson stroll, the nine-time Professional Bowler appears to be like rejuvenated in Pittsburgh.
Inventory down
The protection is elite, however typically that aggressiveness generally is a double-edged sword. Pittsburgh must keep away from the kind of penalties – facemasks and go interference, and so on. – which piled up in opposition to Washington, permitting commanders to develop the roads.
damage
Pittsburgh will begin the drive comparatively wholesome, though depth at exterior linebacker might be a priority after Alex Highsmith sprained his left ankle chasing Jayden Daniels within the fourth quarter Sunday.
Key quantity
92.three — The proportion of groups since 1990 that began the season 7-2 and made the playoffs.
Subsequent steps
See if they’ll proceed to be Lamar Jackson's Kryptonite when the Baltimore Ravens go to Pittsburgh on Sunday. Jackson is simply 2-Four in opposition to the Steelers in his profession.
