So far, so good for the Russell Wilson era in Pittsburgh.
Wilson rallied the Steelers for a 27-21 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday in a battle of division-leading teams. With the win, the Steelers improve to 7-2 and 3-0 since Wilson took over at quarterback.
Pittsburgh had to overcome multiple miscues including a dropped pass on a fake punt and a fumble at the goal line in the fourth quarter. But Wilson ensured that Pittsburgh would prevail with a late touchdown bomb to Mike Williams, who joined the team last week in a trade from the New York Jets.
With Washington leading, 27-21 and 2:27 remaining on the clock, Wilson looked deep to Williams on a sideline go-route on third-and-9. He lofted a perfect pass under pressure that Williams corralled in the end zone for the go-ahead score.
The touchdown was Williams’ first of the season in his first game in a Steelers uniform.
Washington had a chance to counter. But its ensuring drive fell short of the end zone when a fourth-and-9 completions from Jayden Daniels to Zach Ertz was ruled just short of the line of gain.
4th Down: Zach Ertz makes the catch right at the first down marker, but the ruling on the field is that the Steelers made the stop. Play under review. pic.twitter.com/VRny2jofLM
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) November 10, 2024
The Steelers were able to run out the game clock on their ensuring possession. Pittsburgh lined up to go for it on fourth-and-1 near midfield with more than a minute remaining and drew a neutral zone infraction on the Washington defense that effectively ended the game.
Wilson finished his day completing 14 of 28 passes for 195 yards with three touchdowns and one interceptions. And the Steelers are undefeated since he took over at quarterback for Justin Fields in Week 7.
The loss snapped a three-game win streak for the Commanders who have thrived this season with Daniels at quarterback. The Commanders entered the game ranked third in the NFL with 392 yards of offense per game. Pittsburgh limited Washington to 242 yards of offense and Daniels to 202 passing yards on a 17-of-34 passing day without a touchdown or an interception.
Washington caught an early break on a failed fake punt that should have gone for a big play for Pittsburgh. The Commanders weren’t ready for the trick play, and safety Miles Killebrew threw a perfect pass to James Pierre Jr. that could have gone for a touchdown. But Pierre dropped the pass, and Washington took over on downs at the Pittsburgh 16-yard line.
The Commanders converted the turnover into a game-tying touchdown and ultimately built a 27-21 third-quarter lead.
The Steelers responded in the fourth quarter with a 14-play, 86-yard drive that appeared to put them in prime shape for a go-ahead score. But Jaylen Warren fumbled near the goal-line on a run that would have put the Steelers in first-and-goal at the 1-yard line with 7:05 remaining.
Pittsburgh’s defense responded by forcing a three-and-out punt from the Washington 3-yard line, setting up Wilson and Williams for their late-game heroics on the ensuing Steelers drive.
The win sets up a high-stakes showdown next week between the AFC North rival Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, who improved to 7-3 on Thursday with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The winner will be in control of the division.
Washington drops to 7-3 with the loss and will face the Philadelphia Eagles next week in a game that will determine first-place in the NFC East.
