Takeaways: Steelers soar past Jets, 37-15
Steel City Underground offers post-game takeaways for every 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers NFL regular season game, focusing on the black and gold, just for members of Steelers Nation.
On Sunday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers put together the most complete game, as a team, thus far in the 2024 NFL regular season. The New York Jets didn’t make things easy, and Aaron Rodgers showed he still has some magic left in his veteran skill-set. Despite the Jets being the league’s second-best overall defense entering the game, the Steelers had playmakers across the board that didn’t fold under pressure. The Steelers defense didn’t fold and special teams were above par, too. Here are three key takeaways from the 37-15 victory that put Pittsburgh alone on top of the AFC North with a 5-2 record.
Russell Wilson‘s debut for Steelers was enlightening
When head coach Mike Tomlin chose to start Wilson over Justin Fields, it may have been the gutsiest decision he has made in years. The Steelers fanbase was largely ready to toss Tomlin out with the bath water if Wilson didn’t make a major difference over the 4-2 record Fields had put together… even though Fields was just one player on a talented roster.
When Wilson started off slow, the crowd could be heard booing and calling for Fields. Instead of buckling under the outside noise, the poised veteran did the one thing that needed to be done; he ignored it and remained poised for opportunities.
One thing that has been missing from the play of the Pittsburgh Steelers offense through six weeks of play has been an effective passing game down the field. By the second half, Wilson was throwing touch passes to George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin, Pat Freiermuth, and others as he read the Jets defense. Russ was dishing, and the offense was cooking.
Wilson finished the game having thrown for two touchdowns, scored one score on a sneak, completed 16 of 29 passes for 264 yards all while still finding ways to spread the offense so that Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren could get yards on the ground.
It was enlightening to see the Steelers play as a complete unit offensively, and do so in an upbeat, complimentary fashion.
In fact, it gave new energy to the fanbase that maybe this team is a contender and Tomlin is crazy as a fox.
Danny Smith, “mortal enemy to chewing gum” and opponents
A call by officials who flagged Minkah Fitzpatrick for “leverage” on a blocked point-after attempt by the Jets had Smith, the long-time special teams coach, incensed. Rightly so. Replay showed Fitzpatrick hadn’t pushed off to get past T.J. Watt‘s helmet or the Jets lineman, but used his arms to help allow him to jump the gap before raising them for the block.
The Steelers didn’t give up despite the flag allowing the Jets to attempt, and convert, a two-point play. Instead, special teams went out and blocked another field goal. With that, the Steelers became the first team in the NFL with a blocked kick (punt, FG or XP) in three straight games since New England in 2017.
The @steelers love their special teams coordinator Danny Smith ❤️ pic.twitter.com/QmhwK5tw6C
— NFL (@NFL) October 21, 2024
New stars rising on defense
Pittsburgh loves a Cinderella story.
On a night that saw Alex Highsmith return to the lineup, Watt double-teamed to the max, and both Montravius Adams and Donte Jackson leave the game due to injury, the Steelers defense adjusted their personnel package to try to shunt Breece Hall‘s running abilities and limit Rodgers’ receivers.
An undrafted rookie in the black and gold stepped up and made a statement play that turned the tide in this game.
Beanie Bishop jumped, not one but two, Rodgers throws for interceptions. Both picks involved contested catches that went awry, but Bishop was in the right position to earn the takeaways. His second pick of the game was nearly returned for a touchdown.
In post-game Q&A’s with Tomlin and several individual players the responses that seemed to be a shared sentiment was that on Sunday night, this team came together in a way they hadn’t previously. Those efforts resulted in a big win.
Back to back victories in which the Steelers put up at least 30 points on the scoreboard seems to point to a positive trajectory. If Pittsburgh keeps building off of that, they have the potential to beat any team they face as their schedule becomes more challenging.
What a great way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1974 Super Bowl team!
