Mike Tomlin was greater than justified in his determination to begin Russell Wilson in Week 7.
Wilson, 35, who missed the primary six video games of the season with a calf damage, began towards the New York Jets on Sunday rather than Justin Fields, who had began the season solidly, if not spectacularly.
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Tomlin’s QB determination was extensively criticized earlier than the sport, however the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach lastly had the final giggle when Wilson ran for a landing and threw for 2 extra in a 37-15 victory in his debut in black. and golden.
Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame tight finish Shannon Sharpe was amongst these skeptical of Tomlin’s determination heading into Sunday’s recreation.
“Wow, Mike Tomlin, you higher win this recreation,” Sharpe mentioned on his Nightcap podcast with co-host Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson.
“You higher win this recreation now. You are making a really unpopular determination. Consider me.”
Thankfully for Tomlin, he did simply that, with Wilson specifically impressing after throwing for 264 yards on 16 of 29 passing makes an attempt.
The Steelers moved to 5-2 with the win. Sharpe later praised Tomlin for making the daring determination to begin Wilson as an alternative of Fields.
“You realize, you need to give the Steelers credit score,” Sharpe mentioned on Nightcap.
“Mike Tomlin is aware of what was at stake. They wanted to win this recreation. They needed to win this recreation.
“He (Wilson) performed properly. Two touchdowns, no interceptions, clear recreation.
“You need to give the Steelers credit score. They’ve the identical report because the Ravens.
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Johnson was far more effusive along with his reward, particularly when it got here to Wilson.
“I am speaking about son of a bitch Russell Wilson,” he mentioned.
“Let him cook dinner. That is what I used to be doing tonight, I used to be cooking. I informed you so.
“Hear, he ought to have been the starter. Justin Fields performed properly (to this point this season). Let me begin with that, Justin Fields performed extraordinarily properly.
“However tonight, the passing recreation seemed actually good. The little moonballs that Russ stored throwing, the little floaters. They seemed actually good on offense.
“I see you on the market, Russ. I see you cooking, boy.”
Fields led the workforce to a 4-2 begin in Wilson’s absence. Throughout that point, he racked up 10 touchdowns (5 passing, 5 dashing) and only one turnover.
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Many anticipated the 25-year-old to maintain his beginning job towards the Jets, however Tomlin named Wilson his QB1 earlier than the season and the final six video games have seemingly performed little to vary his thoughts.
Some have tried to pit Wilson and Fields towards one another, nevertheless, the veteran was fast to reward the youthful quarterback for main them to 4-2.
“I additionally wish to give credit score to Justin,” Wilson mentioned after the Jets’ win. “How he put us on this place. What an awesome participant he’s. Simply this complete workforce, I actually find it irresistible. “I actually find it irresistible right here.”
Wilson was greeted with loud boos inside Acrisure Stadium early within the second quarter after orchestrating three consecutive 3-pointers.
Thankfully for the Steelers, they have been in a position to overcome the preliminary negativity and pull off a formidable victory.
“I believed he was wonderful,” Tomlin mentioned of Wilson after the sport.
“I believed he obtained higher as the sport went on. However that does not shock me. It has been some time since he performed any ball, however I believed he settled in, shook off the rust, distributed the ball and performed.” Effectively.”
The Steelers’ subsequent opponent is the New York Giants in Monday Evening Soccer.
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