Steelers 37-15 Jets (Oct. 20, 2024) Game Recap

PITTSBURGH – Russell Wilson threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score in his Pittsburgh debut to lead the Steelers to a 37-15 victory over Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets on Sunday night.

The 35-year-old Wilson, who watched from the sidelines for the first six weeks while recovering from a calf injury, acknowledged head coach Mike Tomlin's decision to turn to the nine-time Pro Bowler instead of Justin Fields, who was stable if not always, either, was spectacular in Wilson's absence.

While he's not quite in the “Let Russ Cook” era of his prime, Wilson looked more than capable as he overcame a sluggish start and passed for 264 yards, including scores to George Pickens and Van Jefferson Pittsburgh (5-2) won its second ball right in front of a packed crowd at Acrisure Stadium that included Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

New York's retooled offense – which now includes Davante Adams, who was reunited with Rodgers after a trade with Las Vegas earlier this week – couldn't keep up as the Jets (2-5) lost their fourth straight game, including a 0-2 mark under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich.

Rodgers passed for 276 yards with a touchdown and hit Adams three times for 30 yards, but was also intercepted twice by Pittsburgh's rookie cornerback Beanie Bishop, and the Steelers turned those scores into game-winning scores.

The Jets were in control early, running out to a 15-6 lead and had a chance to extend it late in the first half when Bishop stepped at midfield in front of Rodgers' pass intended for Garrett Wilson for the first time intercepted in his career.

Russell Wilson led Pittsburgh 54 yards in 48 seconds, the final 11 yards on a lob to Pickens in the back corner of the end zone, to give the Steelers momentum heading into halftime.

Chris Boswell hit the third of three field goals midway through the third quarter to give the Steelers the lead.

Rodgers attempted 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. Bishop ran to the Jets 1 but was unable to score because a sprinting Adams chased him just short of the goal line.

No matter, Wilson forced his way into the end zone on the next play and led a decisive drive on the fourth play that ended with a 4-yard flip to Van Jefferson. The goal from Jets wide receivers coach Sean Jefferson's son, who spent the first six weeks as an afterthought, gave the Steelers 30 points in consecutive games for the first time since the start of the 2020 season.

Tomlin raised some eyebrows earlier in the week when he chose to turn to Wilson over Fields, who had scored 10 touchdowns (five passing, five rushing) with just one turnover in six starts. Tomlin's reasoning was simple: The Steelers were good, but “not to be confused with great.”

Although there is still work to be done, Wilson looked confident at times against one of the better defenses in the league, completing 16 of 29 passes. The volatile Pickens finished the game with five receptions for 111 yards and his first score of the season.

Injuries

Jets: G Xavier Newman was forced off with a neck injury after being blocked on Bishop's interception return early in the second half. He was taken to the hospital for observation but had movement in his extremities. … G Alijah Vera-Tucker injured his ankle in the second quarter and did not return. … S Tony Adams left the team with a hamstring injury. … S Ashtyn Davis was evaluated for a concussion.

Steelers: DT Montravius ​​Adams left in the first half with a knee injury. … CB Donte Jackson left in the first half with a shoulder injury.

Next

Jets: Visit the New England Patriots next Sunday.

Steelers: Host the New York Giants on Monday, October 28th.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL