Watch: Wilson, Pickens connection lit up Jets
Steel City Underground will pick an exceptional play of the game as a highlight each week of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 NFL regular season. Stay tuned as we hand-select the very best from the Black and Gold!
There were concerns over Russell Wilson‘s first start at quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers against a top-tier New York Jets defense during Sunday Night Football. Head coach Mike Tomlin was going to be heavily scrutinized should Wilson not be as productive as Justin Fields had been through six weeks of play and a 4-2 record. Wilson, however, brushed off the rust to orchestrate some great drives and spread the offense for the 37-15 win.
The connection that lit up the Jets defense the most in the game was Wilson to George Pickens.
It wasn’t the biggest play in terms of yardage, but the touchdown pass from Wilson to Pickens came at a great time in the second quarter. Beanie Bishop had intercepted an Aaron Rodgers pass to give the ball back to the Steelers offense. Down 15-6, Wilson used three plays to get the team to the Jets 11-yard line. He’d sailed a 29-yard pass to Pickens that drew a defensive pass interference call against Sauce Gardner on 2nd & 7 at the 40. Wilson went back to Pickens in the end zone for the score – Pickens’ first touchdown of the season.
https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1848180213521264817
The play and subsequent Chris Boswell PAT moved the score to 15-13 at the half.
Wilson connected with Pickens on five total receptions in the game for 111 yards. Pickens averaged 22.2 yards per reception against the Jets, his season best performance in that statistical category. The longest connection between the two went for 44 yards.
That play occurred earlier in the 2nd quarter. On 2nd & 17 at the Pittsburgh 24, Wilson uncorked the deep ball to the left sideline and Pickens grabbed the ball to get the Steelers to the Jets 32.
Potentially the most exciting play between Wilson and Pickens, though, happened in the third quarter.
Ahead 16-15 in the 3rd, the Steelers offense started at their own 21-yard line following a Jets punt. On 3rd & 7 from their 24, Wilson went no huddle in the shotgun and targeted Pickens deep right. The ball hit Jets cornerback Isaiah Oliver, deflected, and Pickens was still able to secure it in-bounds fir a gain of 37 yards
https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1848186635378098643
Steelers fans finally got an opportunity to see their offense push the ball through the air, and it gave new life to a team that was looking for more dominance on offense.
