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The Switch to Wilson

The decision of Mike Tomlin, Head Coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, to replace Justin Fields with Russell Wilson has been met with skepticism. But Wilson’s recent performance, reminiscent of his early career stardom, is silencing the doubters. His knack for connecting deep balls, evident in his first interception-free game in nearly a year, is worth noting. The clincher was a 32-yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams, a recent acquisition, with just under two and a half minutes left in the fourth quarter. This led to a thrilling 28-27 victory over the Washington Commanders, masterminded by Jayden Daniels.

Seahawks to Steelers: Wilson’s Journey

Tomlin’s admiration for Wilson’s big-play ability, which played a pivotal role in his Super Bowl victories with the Seattle Seahawks, is no secret. Four consecutive wins, including all three under Wilson’s leadership, have placed the Steelers at the top of the AFC North (7-2). Wilson may not have had the most impressive stats on Sunday, but his performance was impactful: 14 for 28 for 195 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.

Key Performances

Wilson gave credit to Mike Williams, who was recently traded from the New York Jets, for the game-changing 32-yard touchdown catch. George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth also had exceptional performances, leading to touchdowns in the first and second quarters respectively. These plays were met with thunderous applause by the Steelers fans in the stands, waving their Terrible Towels.

Despite leading 24-14 at one point, the Commanders (7-3) couldn’t maintain their lead. They missed the chance to reach 8-2 overall for the first time since 1986 and 5-0 at home for the first time since their Super Bowl win in 1991. Washington’s first-year coach Dan Quinn and his star player, Daniels, were left to rue missed opportunities and minor errors.

Daniels, the No. 2 overall draft pick, had a decent game with 17 for 34 for 202 yards, but failed to score a touchdown or interception. While battling a lingering rib injury he described as “still there, but it’s nothing that’s holding me back.”

The Final Play

The most decisive moment of the game came when Wilson threw an over-the-shoulder pass to Williams, his only catch of the game, turning a six-point deficit into a one-point lead for the Steelers. This was followed by a failed fourth-and-9 attempt by Daniels and the Commanders, which ended their perfect fourth down record for the season. The Steelers managed to run out the clock after a penalty on rookie defensive lineman Johnny Newton gave them possession at Washington’s 49 with just over a minute left.

The Steelers’ victory was not without blemishes, however. A costly fake punt deep in their own territory in the first quarter, and turnovers by Wilson and Jaylen Warren, could have proved disastrous. But in the end, the Steelers’ resilience and Wilson’s late-game heroics prevailed.

Injury Updates and Upcoming Games

Injury concerns for the Steelers include LB Alex Highsmith (ankle) and CB Donte Jackson (hamstring). For the Commanders, C Tyler Biadasz (ankle) briefly left the game but returned, while RT Andrew Wylie (shoulder), CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring), RB Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) and K Austin Seibert (hip) were all sidelined.

The Steelers are set to host division rival Baltimore next Sunday, while the Commanders will be on the road against Philadelphia on Thursday night.

Richard Hayes is the go-to writer for all things soccer at 21Sports.com. His international perspective and in-depth knowledge of the game have made him a trusted voice in the industry. Richard’s experience covering major leagues around the world allows him to offer unique insights that resonate with both casual fans and die-hard enthusiasts. When not covering matches, Richard enjoys coaching youth soccer in his community.