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Jets vs. Steelers: Russell Wilson leads Pittsburgh to convincing win over New York in Davante Adams' first game with new team
At last week’s NFL owners meeting, after his New York Jets pulled off a trade for Davante Adams less than 24 hours after falling to 2-4 on the season, owner Woody Johnson proclaimed that his team was “going to kick … you can fill the word in
Maybe that starts next week.
This season the Jets were expected to be Super Bowl contenders, or at least break the longest playoff drought in American professional sports, while the Pittsburgh Steelers were going to finally see their streak of non-losing seasons end. But there’s a reason the Jets are the Jets and the Steelers are the Steelers.
The results didn’t change for the Jets after adding Adams. They still look lost this season, falling to 2-5 with a 37-15 defeat to the Steelers.
The Steelers didn’t look any different either, despite a quarterback change. They’re 5-2, and 1-0 with Russell Wilson as their starting quarterback. Wilson replaced Justin Fields and after a slow start, he made plays and led the Steelers to their highest point total of the season.
It wasn’t a good outing for the Jets. Maybe they’ll make another trade this week.
Wilson got his first start for the Steelers and it didn’t begin that well. It took Wilson a while to get in a rhythm. Or, it took him a while to realize George Pickens is fantastic on contested catches. Once Pickens made a few plays, Wilson settled in.
The Jets had the early lead though. Breece Hall and Tyler Conklin scored touchdowns and the Jets led 15-13 going into halftime. But it’s the 2024 Jets; eventually it all unraveled.
Rodgers had a couple of tough luck interceptions to undrafted rookie Beanie Bishop Jr. On the first one Bishop made a great play, turning and reaching out at the last second with one hand to bring in the pick. On the second, Rodgers delivered a good ball to the normally reliable Garrett Wilson, but the ball bounced off Wilson’s chest and right to Bishop. He returned that one to the 1-yard line. Wilson scored on a quarterback sneak the next play.
The second half was impressive for the Steelers. It would have been easy for Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin to stick with Justin Fields after the team’s good start to the season, but he has been dug in on Wilson being his quarterback since the team acquired him. Fields got to start because Wilson had an injured calf, but Tomlin went back to him when he could. It’s hard to argue with the results.
Meanwhile, the Jets can’t push any right buttons this season.
Jets’ season slipping away
The Jets fired Robert Saleh. They lost to the Buffalo Bills their next game. They traded for Adams. They lost to the Steelers their next game.
They keep digging their hole deeper. New York wanted to make a run with Rodgers. They seemed to be down to one last shot with Rodgers after the quarterback tore his Achilles in the season opener last year. Nothing has looked right for the Jets all season. Rodgers has had some flashes of his former greatness but overall the team has been too sloppy to win. The defense, which had been very good the past two seasons, hasn’t been as dominant. Everything with the Jets seems a bit off.
Meanwhile, the Steelers just keep winning as usual. Wilson has been the subject of countless jokes after he failed with the Denver Broncos and he didn’t look good in the preseason, but Tomlin knew what he was doing when he made the change. He kept referencing Wilson’s successful résumé, and on Sunday night Wilson looked more like that player who was a star with the Seattle Seahawks. Maybe Wilson will fall apart like he did in Denver, but the first look at him with the Steelers was positive. He looked like a quarterback who at very least can spread the ball around and boost Pickens, the team’s top playmaker.
Things always seem to work out for the Steelers. The opposite is true for the Jets. Maybe that’s not a coincidence.
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Jets offensive lineman Xavier Newman carted off the field
After the interception, Newman was hit on a block by Patrick Queen. No penalty was called on the play. Newman went down on the Jets’ sideline and the whole team surrounded him as he was being loaded onto a backboard and moved to a cart to be taken off the field.
Newman had replaced Alijah Vera-Tucker at guard. Vera-Tucker left the game with an injury in the first half. NBC Sports’ Melissa Stark did report during the broadcast that Newman was conscious while being put on the backboard and onto the cart
SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 9: Guard Xavier Newman #65 of the New York Jets stands on the sidelines during the national anthem prior an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, at Levi’s Stadium on September 9, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) -
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Halftime: Jets 15, Steelers 13
The Beanie Bishop interception of Aaron Rodgers at the end of the first half changed the complexion of the game as the Steelers were able to cash in with a touchdown and turn a two-score lead into a one score game heading into the locker rooms for the break. Davante Adams has three catches for 30 yards as he’s being worked into the offense, but has been on the field for the entire first half. In the other major debut of the night, Russell Wilson has thrown for 145 yards and a touchdown for Pittsburgh — In three of his six starts this season Justin Fields threw for 145 yards or fewer for the whole game.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 20: Davante Adams #17 of the New York Jets is tackled by Joey Porter Jr. #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) -
Nothing seemed to go in Roman Wilson’s favor while Mike Tomlin led the Pittsburgh Steelers. Whether it was battling through an injury-filled rookie season or struggling to find his footing in his second year, Wilson now finds himself on the roster bubble. He understands this could be his final opportunity to establish himself in Pittsburgh, and a coaching change may have given him a boost.
With Mike McCarthy now serving as head coach of the Steelers, Wilson has a fresh opportunity to reset his trajectory.
Any issues that may have lingered under Tomlin are now in the past. While it is unclear if the young playmaker will immediately build chemistry with Aaron Rodgers, a new coaching staff brings the potential for change. According to McCarthy, Wilson was also one of the first players to reach out after the hiring, which could signal a strong level of motivation moving forward.
“He was one of the first men to reach out. Just clearly ask what the expectation was of him, how I view him.” McCarthy said. “How I saw him fitting in as it rolls. He’s had a great offseason.”
Nothing will be handed to Roman Wilson, as Pittsburgh has completely overhauled its wide receiver group this offseason. DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., and Germie Bernard all appear set for significant roles on offense, which could leave Wilson in a difficult position. However, if he proves during training camp that he deserves playing time, McCarthy will not overlook his performance.
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Roman Wilson might be turning a corner with HC Mike McCarthy
It will be up to Roman Wilson to prove he can be a starting caliber receiver throughout the preseason. If he fails to secure the fourth spot on the depth chart or better, his career could enter a critical stage. Time is quickly running out, but his level of talent is still clear. The hope is that with McCarthy as an offensive-minded head coach, Wilson will be in a better position to succeed.
Reaching a high level this season will not come easily for Wilson.
At times last year, it appeared that Aaron Rodgers did not look his way often in the passing game. There could be some tension between the two, which may have contributed to the Steelers bringing in multiple veteran receivers late last season. If that disconnect still exists, it could become another obstacle for Wilson as he tries to earn Rodgers’ trust and secure a larger role in the offense.
With McCarthy leading the coaching staff, he will look to unlock the full potential of Pittsburgh’s offense. Wilson could play an important role in helping address the unit’s ongoing struggles. Despite the talent ahead of him on the depth chart, his opportunity could grow significantly this season. He will need to earn his place, but there is a clear path for him to succeed.
Outside of Metcalf, Pittman Jr., and Bernard, Wilson should still have an opportunity to make plays this season.
If he is unable to carve out a role during the preseason, he could find himself on his way off the roster sooner than expected. However, the positive remarks from McCarthy should give him a boost of confidence entering what is shaping up to be a make-or-break campaign. This is his final opportunity to prove himself in Pittsburgh.
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