A new player stepped up for a victory on “Sunday Night Football,” but it wasn’t Davante Adams or the New York Jets making headlines.
Quarterback Russell Wilson made his Pittsburgh debut after a calf injury, which had kept him sidelined since preseason. Despite experiencing some early difficulties, Wilson recovered to throw for 264 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Steelers to a decisive 37-15 win over the Jets. With this victory, Pittsburgh now holds a 5-2 record.
While Justin Fields had led the team to a 4-2 start in Wilson’s absence, the Steelers decided to reinstate Wilson, their original starter from training camp, when he was healthy again. Although he struggled with early passes against the Jets, Wilson quickly regained his form, demonstrating precision with deep throws and connecting with wide receiver George Pickens on five occasions for 111 yards.
Meanwhile, all eyes were on Adams during his reunion with former Green Bay Packers teammate Aaron Rodgers. Adams was acquired via trade from Las Vegas just days prior, following a tumultuous week for the Jets that included the firing of head coach Robert Saleh and the demotion of offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. However, Adams’ return did not invigorate New York’s offense, and they fell to a disappointing 2-5 record. Despite being targeted nine times, Adams could manage only three receptions for 30 yards. While his involvement opened up opportunities for other players, the Jets struggled to convert drives into points after Rodgers was intercepted twice by Beanie Bishop Jr.
Rodgers concluded the game with 276 yards and one touchdown. A positive note for the Jets came with the ending of pass rusher Haason Reddick’s contract holdout, allowing him to join a defense that has faced challenges with player attrition.