It was a fever dream for Steelers fans watching them hang 44 points on the Bengals on Sunday. It was the offenses first 40+ point outing since November 2018. Russell Wilson arranged not only one of his best offensive games this season, but in his career. He led the Steelers to a divisional victory with precision and veteran leadership. Spreading the ball around to multiple receivers, he maintained perfect control of the offense.
Russell Wilson vs. Bengals
— Daniel Valente (@StatsGuyDaniel) December 1, 2024
• 29/38
• 414 yards
• 3 TDs
• 1 INT
• 126.4 passer rating
Second most passing yards in his career. Best game from a Steelers QB in YEARS.
December 1, 2024
— M (@mdrizzy22) December 1, 2024
9-3
The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t had a losing season in 21 years.
Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season… 18 years strong. pic.twitter.com/fvRED1tZ3V
Wilson’s Career Renaissance
Russell Wilson has breathed new life into his career in Pittsburgh. He shows remarkable efficiency as a leader. His season-high 414 yards and three touchdowns against Cincinnati proved to be a defining moment. Wilson’s command of the offense has revolutionized the Steelers’ attacking capabilities. His situational awareness at age 35 has become the life-blood of his success. Watching him check into different plays at the line of scrimmage, and making critical throws knowing when the blitz was coming.
Wilson’s current form mirrors some of his career-best performances. He set a personal record with 257 yards in the first half against Cincinnati. This renaissance reminds us of his career peaks, including his 452-yard performance against Houston in 2017. The veteran’s influence goes beyond statistics. All three of his touchdown passes were to different receivers and the connection appears to grow stronger each game. Wilson’s mentorship and timing has helped lift the entire receiving corps’ performance.
Offensive Transformation
The Steelers’ offense displayed explosive firepower against Cincinnati and piled up 520 total yards in their highest-scoring game since 2018.
A balanced attack through the air and ground fueled this offensive explosion. The team’s scoring pattern showed consistency with three touchdowns followed by a field goal in the first half. Wilson’s distribution of the ball made the difference as he connected with ten different receivers on the day. The players who carried the workload were:
- George Pickens: 70 yards and a touchdown
- Pat Freiermuth: 68 yards and a touchdown
- Najee Harris: 75 rushing yards, 54 receiving yards
- Calvin Austin: Touchdown reception
Red Zone Execution
The Red Zone has been a weak spot in the Steelers overall operation. Having two wins without scoring a touchdown, execution in the Red Zone was of vital concern. Before Sunday’s game, their red zone scoring percentages when accounting for TDs only sat at 44.74%. It was refreshing to watch them finish drives with touchdowns and not a Chris Boswell field goal. When things could have gotten ugly early when the first drive resulted in a pick six to go down 7-0. It was the response that was the most encouraging. Russ showed remarkable poise as he arranged a quick seven-play, 70-yard drive. A precise 17-yard touchdown pass to George Pickens concluded this effort. Once settled in, they secured five consecutive scoring drives after the initial setback.
I don't think people understand that the Steelers literally got another one.
— Marcus Whitman (@TFG_Football) December 1, 2024
The league screwed up letting them get Nick Herbig.
pic.twitter.com/K53IJoXPZ1
The Steelers 𝗢𝗪𝗡 the Bengals 😤
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) December 1, 2024
23-7 in the last 30 matchups.#HereWeGo | #NFL pic.twitter.com/47780VOhCJ
Standings Impact
The Steelers’ win puts them in a strong position in the AFC North standings, boasting a 9-3 record and lead the AFC North. Baltimore sits at 8-5, after taking a loss against the red-hot Eagles. Cincinnati’s playoff hopes have dropped by a lot as their record slips to 4-8. The Steelers’ win means even more with upcoming division games. The team faces Cleveland next Sunday in their fourth straight division matchup. They have an edge over Baltimore in head-to-head tiebreakers. Their division record stands at 2-1, while Baltimore holds a 2-2 mark. Each win makes the Steelers’ path to postseason clearer. Latest numbers show they now have a 95.3% chance to make playoffs with 47.6% probability of winning AFC North.
The team’s playoff chances grow stronger every week. Their recent scoring outburst adds a new threat to their postseason hopes. The Steelers keep pace with the Buffalo Bills for the AFC playoffs’ No. 2 seed. Russell Wilson’s guidance is vital as Pittsburgh gets ready for high-stakes division games. The team faces a tough stretch with Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Baltimore all within 10 days. These games will show the team’s strength and likely decide their playoff position.
Getting Hot in December
Russell Wilson delivered a spectacular 414-yard performance that defines the Steelers’ 2024 season. From years of being a liability, they’re evolving into a dynamic unit that creates explosive plays consistently.It hasn’t been since the Ben Roethlisberger era since fans saw the Steelers win a shootout. In dire need, they can supplement their traditional defense-first approach and create significant matchup advantages down the stretch.
Their upcoming division games will challenge both their newfound offensive capabilities and and championship aspirations. Wilson’s comeback and the team’s developing offensive identity build their case as serious contenders. This powerful blend of experienced leadership and offensive growth has set them up perfectly as Mike Tomlin stamps his 18th winning season as the Steelers head coach.
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