Steelers QB Russell Wilson has ‘fun’ day torching Bengals in best game since Seattle days

“I assumed our group smiled within the face of it, significantly (Wilson),” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin mentioned. “It is the primary time for him going by AFC North soccer, and I assumed he acclimated himself to it effectively as we speak. He put himself squarely within the historical past of this collection with that efficiency as we speak.”

With the protection uncharacteristically getting toasted at occasions and unfavorable performs within the type of a few Pickens private foul penalties — which prompted Tomlin to say the younger receiver must “develop up” — Wilson shined.

The 44 factors have been probably the most in a recreation by Pittsburgh since Week 10, 2018 versus Carolina (52 factors) and probably the most in a highway recreation since Week 13, 2000 at Cincinnati (48). The Steelers’ 520 whole yards have been the workforce’s most in a recreation since Week 12, 2018 at Denver (527).

Bouncing again from final week’s loss in snowy Cleveland, Wilson confirmed the entire arsenal. He dropped moonballs, match an ideal 23-yard seam-shot TD to Calvin Austin III, discovered targets on scramble drills, and when the Bengals dropped again, he was comfy repeatedly dumping it off to his backs for chunk beneficial properties.

Wilson accomplished eight of 9 passes over 10 air yards for 205 yards and two touchdowns (+34.8% CPOE, his third-highest mark in a recreation during the last seven seasons).

“We needed to come back out and assault, as a result of we knew what they might give us,” mentioned Tomlin. “That is what I imply in regards to the depths of those waters in these divisional relationships. It’s not checkers — it is chess.”

The Steelers all however known as checkmate on the Bengals season, dropping them to 4-8. Shifting to 9-3, Pittsburgh has a 1.5-game lead within the AFC North. If Wilson continues to play this effectively, Pittsburgh may have a shot to maneuver up from the No. 3 seed within the coming weeks.