Russell Wilson threw two touchdown passes and ran for another in his Pittsburgh debut to lead the Steelers to a 37-15 win over Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets on Sunday night.
Wilson, 35, who spent the first six weeks watching from the sidelines while recovering from a calf injury, validated head coach Mike Tomlin’s decision to turn to the nine-time Pro Bowler over Justin Fields, who was steady if not always spectacular in Wilson’s absence.
Wilson looked more than capable while overcoming a sluggish start to pass for 264 yards, including scores to George Pickens and Van Jefferson as Pittsburgh (5-2) won their second straight match in front of a packed Acrisure Stadium crowd.
Najee Harris rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries, George Pickens caught five passes for 111 yards and one touchdown and Van Jefferson also had a touchdown reception for the Steelers.
Rookie Beanie Bishop Jr. recorded his first two career interceptions and Dean Lowry blocked a field-goal attempt for Pittsburgh, as they finished the game with 31 unanswered points.
Aaron Rodgers completed 24 of 39 passes for 276 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions for New York (2-5), as they lost a fourth consecutive game.
“I was like, There’s going to be a lot more of these I believe,'” Wilson said. “We’re just right on that edge of getting really good and being great. We got to keep searching for that edge, learning and studying and spending the time on it.
“We’re doing some good things and the reality is that there’s so much more out there and we’ll get better as we go. We’ll keep working but to be where we are in a good place.”
The Jets took control early, racing to a 15-6 lead and had a chance to extend it late in the first half when Bishop stepped in front of Rodgers’ pass intended for Garrett Wilson at midfield for his first career interception.
Wilson led Pittsburgh 54 yards in 48 seconds, the last 11 on a lob to Pickens in the back corner of the end zone to give the Steelers momentum heading into halftime.
Chris Boswell kicked the third of three field goals midway through the third quarter to put the Steelers in front.
Rodgers tried to hit Garrett Wilson down the left sideline on New York’s next possession, but the ball bounced off Wilson and into Bishop’s hands and he raced to the Jets one.
Wilson bulled his way into the end zone on the next play and led a clinching drive in the fourth that ended with a 4-yard flip to Van Jefferson.
The score by Jets wide receivers coach Sean Jefferson’s son, who spent the first six weeks as an afterthought, gave the Steelers 30 points in back-to-back games for the first time since early in the 2020 season.
Tomlin raised some eyebrows earlier in the week when he opted to turn to Wilson over Fields, who had racked up 10 touchdowns (five passing, five rushing) against just one turnover in six starts.
Though there is work to do, Wilson looked in command at times against one of the league’s better defenses while completing 16 of 29 passes. The volatile Pickens finished with five receptions for 111 yards and his first score of the season.
What’s next?
Week Eight will see the New England Patriots at home in an all-AFC East match-up against Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets, while the Steelers host the New York Giants in the Monday Night Football.
Week Seven continues with a Monday Night Football double-header as the Baltimore Ravens face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while the Los Angeles Chargers visit the Arizona Cardinals, both live on Sky Sports NFL in the early hours of Tuesday; Also stream with NOW.