The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the New York Giants at home on Monday Night Football, winning 26-18. The offense looked strong throughout the game, though they initially struggled to find the end zone. Two touchdown passes from Russell Wilson to George Pickens were nullified—one due to a face mask penalty on Broderick Jones and the other when Pickens failed to get both feet in bounds. Despite these setbacks, the offense kept pressing, with Calvin Austin III providing the game’s momentum-shifting moment by returning a punt for a touchdown and later scoring on a reception.
Wilson’s steady play has been key to the Steelers' early success, and he is now 2-0 as a starter. His performance on Monday was another testament to his ability to manage the offense effectively and make plays when it counts. Austin’s big plays gave the Steelers the boost they needed, showcasing the depth and versatility in Pittsburgh’s lineup. Wilson ended the game passing for 278 yards and one touchdown. He completed 20 of his 28 passes and protected the football.
When Wilson signed with Pittsburgh, many doubted how much he had left in the tank, with analyst Mark Schlereth among the most vocal critics. However, Schlereth admitted he was wrong during his Tuesday appearance on Breakfast Ball, acknowledging that Wilson has been delivering for the Steelers.
"I'm gonna go ahead and just do this with my chest," Schlereth said. "The last two years in Denver were atrocious. There's no question about that. And you know what? That's what I based my opinion on, the last two years. It's a pretty good sample size. He has come into Pittsburgh. They have put him in a great system. They have thrown the ball outside the numbers. That's where they live right now. Those are the things that Russell does well. And deep, he's as good as anybody throwing the ball outside the numbers as good as anybody throwing the ball deep. Maybe one of the best deep-ball passers ever."
Schlereth based his previous criticism of Wilson on the quarterback’s struggles during his last two seasons with the Denver Broncos, where he managed only 11 wins. However, it’s clear that Wilson has found himself in a far better situation in the Steel City, with the support and structure needed to revitalize his game.
Schlereth went on to commend Wilson's resilience and adaptability, acknowledging the impressive shift in his performance. With each game, Wilson is steadily proving his doubters wrong, demonstrating he still has the talent and leadership to succeed as Pittsburgh’s starter.
"He has basically accepted the coaching, accepted what he didn't do well," Schlereth said. "He is living in the world of what he can do, and I gotta tell you right now that I was wrong."
Steelers' Russell Wilson Making Mike Tomlin Look Very Wise
The sample size is growing, and Wilson is handling the task well. The Steelers now sit at 6-2, and while many fans were initially unhappy with Mike Tomlin’s decision to bench Justin Fields after he led the team to a 4-2 start, the offense has flourished under Wilson. Now, Tomlin’s move looks like a stroke of genius, as Wilson has injected new life into Pittsburgh's attack.
At 35 and coming off a calf injury, Wilson has looked like his prime self—throwing perfect deep balls, completing passes with precision, making smart decisions, and getting multiple pass catchers involved. His presence has also opened up the run game, with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren both finding their rhythm and contributing to a balanced offense.
The mood in Pittsburgh is sky-high. The Steelers look like a complete team, and with Wilson’s play only improving, there’s a growing confidence heading into the bye week at 6-2. The team feels poised for a strong season, with momentum building on both sides of the ball.
