Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin talks to quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throughout an NFL soccer sport, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photograph/Matt Durisko)
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PITTSBURGH (AP) — A dominant protection. An offense closely reliant on a operating sport. A gentle begin to a season brimming with promise tinged by uncertainty at quarterback.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been right here earlier than. Even when Mike Tomlin and Russell Wilson haven’t.
Fifty years in the past, the unique “Metal Curtain” protection led by Joe Greene was in its prime. Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier offered a one-two punch within the backfield. Rookie extensive receivers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth have been the downfield threats the passing sport so desperately lacked.
But one thing was off. Coach Chuck Noll might really feel it whilst Pittsburgh went 4-1-1 over the opening six weeks. Joe Gilliam, who began in Week 1 after Terry Bradshaw was injured late within the preseason, threw 4 touchdowns towards eight interceptions throughout these first half-dozen video games, main Noll to show again to Bradshaw and even take a glimpse at third-stringer Terry Hanratty.
The fixed jockeying on the sport’s most vital place might have divided the staff. In some methods, it did. Greene grew so annoyed late within the season following a loss to the Houston Oilers that he cleaned out his locker in a huff solely to have extensive receivers coach Lionel Taylor speak him out of quitting.
Bradshaw ultimately settled in and the season ended with the Steelers profitable the franchise’s first Tremendous Bowl.
Trying again, Swann doesn’t linger on the bumpy highway Pittsburgh took to the highest, solely the vacation spot. Requested throughout a Fiftieth-anniversary celebration of the 1974 staff on Sunday night time simply hours earlier than Wilson guided the Steelers to a surprisingly simple 37-15 win over the New York Jets that pushed Pittsburgh to 5-2 what he remembers concerning the turbulent season 5 many years in the past, the Corridor of Famer simply smiled.
“Chuck was going to do what Chuck was going to do,” Swann stated. “As gamers, we knew we simply needed to do our jobs for whoever the quarterback was. I caught my first profession landing move from Joe. I used to be with Joe identical to I used to be tremendous with Terry or (Hanratty).”
Standing contained in the Acrisure Stadium locker room simply after Sunday night time turned to early Monday morning, inside linebacker Patrick Queen echoed the same thought when speaking about Wilson and backup-turned-starter-turned backup Justin Fields.
“We’ve acquired quite a lot of religion in each of these guys,” Queen stated. “Justin did an incredible job and now Russ has are available in and carried out an incredible job. We all know whoever we’ve again there, they’re going to offer us an opportunity to win.”
Possibly, however Wilson’s efficiency in his first regular-season sport in 10 months confirmed a glimpse of what Tomlin and first-year offensive coordinator Arthur Smith imagine the Steelers may be.
Wilson accomplished 16 of 29 passes for 264 yards, throwing for 2 scores and operating for one more. Huge receiver George Pickens completed with 5 receptions for 111 yards and his first landing of the season. Working again Najee Harris topped 100 yards for a second straight week and the Steelers went over 30 factors in consecutive video games for the primary time since 2020.
Instantly, all of the exterior angst about Wilson’s return from a calf harm disrupting regardless of the Steelers believed they have been constructing with Fields disappeared.
Humorous how profitable convincingly does that.
“We’re having enjoyable taking part in ball,” Wilson stated. “We’re having enjoyable going to follow. We’re having enjoyable being round each other and Coach Tomlin believes in all of us.”
His 35-year-old quarterback maybe most of all.
What’s working
Growing what Tomlin calls a “block tradition.”
The Steelers acquired their palms on a kick for a 3rd straight sport when defensive deal with Dean Lowry deflected Greg Zeurlein’s 35-yard field-goal try late within the third quarter that will have drawn the Jets inside 5. The offense drove 75 yards for a landing on the following possession to place the sport out of attain.
“We’ve acquired quite a lot of guys who put quite a lot of efforts into the strategies which might be required to ship (blocked kicks),” Tomlin stated. “So I’m appreciative of that, it’s fairly superior, and it’s vital.”
What wants assist
The gradual begins stay a difficulty. The Steelers have one first-quarter landing by means of seven video games. For a staff that prefers to leap out in entrance and let the protection do the remaining, falling behind recurrently towards groups with playoff aspirations — similar to most of their opponents within the second half of the season — is taking part in with fireplace.
Replenish
Beanie Bishop was purported to be a fill-in at slot nook till Cam Sutton comes off the suspended record in early November. The undrafted rookie free agent’s fearlessness and playmaking in Sutton’s absence — capped by the primary two interceptions of Bishop’s profession on Sunday night time towards Aaron Rodgers, each of which arrange touchdowns — means he has seemingly carved out a job for himself in some capability even after Sutton returns.
Inventory down
Tomlin’s critics. The NFL’s longest-tenured coach might have performed it protected and caught with Fields contemplating how solidly the Fields had carried out whereas filling in.
But Tomlin understands his offense wants to achieve one other gear if it desires to be a professional contender within the AFC.
Whereas loads of work stays to be carried out, the victory over the Jets offered a stable basis Tomlin expects his staff to construct on.
Accidents
Defensive deal with Montravius Adams left within the first half with a knee harm. Cornerback Donte Jackson injured his shoulder within the second quarter.
Key quantity
201 — video games performed by longtime defensive deal with Cam Heyward, tied with Corridor of Fame cornerback Donnie Shell for probably the most by a defensive participant in franchise historical past.
Subsequent steps
Attempt to full their sweep of the Massive Apple (OK, northern New Jersey) when the struggling New York Giants (2-5) go to for “Monday Evening Soccer” on Oct. 28.