Landover, Md. —Those who doubted Steelers coach Mike Tomlin’s decision to start Russell Wilson over Justin Fields might be rethinking that stance. Wilson is looking like his former, elite self, especially with his knack for hitting those high-risk, high-reward deep throws.
On Sunday, Wilson shrugged off his first interception in nearly a year and connected with recent trade acquisition Mike Williams for a game-winning 32-yard touchdown with less than two and a half minutes remaining. This was Wilson’s third touchdown pass of the day, helping lift the Steelers to a thrilling 28-27 comeback win over Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders.
“I’ve seen him make those big plays on highlights,” Tomlin said about Wilson, who earned one Super Bowl title and appeared in another with the Seahawks. “It’s even better in person. Believe me.”
The Steelers, now leading the AFC North at 7-2, won their fourth straight game, including all three since Wilson took over from Fields. His stats on Sunday weren’t flashy—completing 14 of 28 passes for 195 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception—but Wilson delivered when it mattered most.
“It was a big-time catch by Mike. I just tried to give him a chance,” Wilson said, praising Williams, acquired last week from the New York Jets. “You visualize those moments, trust your guys, and Big Mike came through.”
George Pickens contributed with a spectacular 16-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter, while tight end Pat Freiermuth added another score on a 3-yard pass in the second quarter, much to the joy of Steelers fans in the stands, waving their iconic Terrible Towels.
Washington (7-3) had been looking to improve to 8-2 for the first time since 1986 and remain undefeated at home for the first time since 1991, the year they won the Super Bowl under coach Joe Gibbs. However, they couldn’t hold on to a 24-14 lead.
“Too many small mistakes,” said defensive end Clelin Ferrell.
Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 overall draft pick and standout under first-year coach Dan Quinn, completed 17 of 34 passes for 202 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He managed only 5 rushing yards on three carries, his lowest as a pro, while playing through a rib injury he described as “still there, but nothing that’s holding me back.”
Reflecting on Wilson’s performance, Daniels noted, “He made plays when they were needed.”
None more so than the go-ahead pass to Williams, his lone catch of the day, turning a six-point deficit into a one-point lead for Pittsburgh.
“That’s one of his best qualities—trusting his receivers,” Pickens said of Wilson.
In response, Daniels led the Commanders to midfield, but on fourth-and-9 with under a minute and a half to play, his pass to Zach Ertz was ruled just short of a first down. Until then, Washington had been perfect on fourth-down conversions this season.
Pittsburgh then faced a fourth-and-1 at Washington’s 49-yard line with 1:02 left. The Steelers lined up to go for it, and Wilson’s hard count drew rookie defensive lineman Johnny Newton offside, allowing Pittsburgh to keep possession and run out the clock.
The win wasn’t without mistakes for Pittsburgh. Commanders safety Jeremy Chinn intercepted Wilson late in the third quarter and recovered Jaylen Warren’s fumble on the 1-yard line in the fourth.
The Steelers’ biggest miscue was a first-quarter fake punt deep in their territory. The snap went to up-back Miles Killebrew, who attempted to throw to James Pierre, but Pierre dropped the ball, giving Washington possession at Pittsburgh’s 15. Three plays later, Austin Ekeler scored the first of his two short rushing touchdowns.
“That’s on me. I own it. I’d do it again,” Tomlin said. “But we didn’t execute, so it was a bad call.”
Up Next:
Steelers: Plays division rival Baltimore next Sunday at home.
Commanders: At Philadelphia on Thursday night.
