Wilson outplaying other AFC North QBs
The Steelers were supposed to have the worst quarterback situation in the AFC North this season.
But that always figured to be Cleveland, which married itself to Deshaun Watson and a ridiculous fully guaranteed contract in 2022. The Browns will never get their money’s worth out of that $230-million mistake.
The Steelers, meanwhile, have gotten their money’s worth and more out of signing Russell Wilson to a one-year, $1.2-million contract in the offseason, with Denver paying the other $38 or so million of his salary.
There might not be a better bargain in NFL history.
Last Sunday in Cincinnati, Wilson outdueled Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow, throwing for 412 yards – the second-best total of his 13-year career – while also tossing three touchdown passes in a 44-38 victory.
That wasn’t supposed to happen. After all, Burrow is one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL.
But the win over the Bengals came just a couple of weeks after Wilson outplayed Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson in an 18-16 win.
That Wilson and the Steelers beat the Ravens wasn’t all that surprising. The Steelers’ defense has Jackson’s number, having beaten him in four of his five starts against it.
But Burrow was 3-2 against the Steelers going into last Sunday, even though his seven interceptions were the most he’s thrown against any opponent.
Burrow threw for 309 yards last week, but he also was sacked four times, fumbled twice, losing both, and also threw another interception.
He was good. Wilson was better.
Those two games show something the Steelers couldn’t necessarily rely on in recent seasons. They have shown in recent seasons that they can win low-scoring, defense-dominated games. But their 44-point, 520-yard game against the Bengals was something this team hadn’t done since 2018 – pre-Ben Roethlisberger tearing up his elbow. This team can win a shootout.
That’s a big step. The Steelers can win in different ways. And that should prove crucial down the stretch.
• Wilson will be the Steelers’ starting quarterback in 2025. They won’t get him for the $1.25 million. But the now 36-year-old quarterback – he turned 36 two days before the game against the Bengals – also won’t cost them $50 million. In fact, he might not even cost $40 million per year.
Wilson has banked $320 million playing in the NFL over the course of his career. He’s won a Super Bowl, but that was more than a decade ago.
When Wilson signed with the Steelers, he said his legacy, tarnished in two seasons in Denver, was something with which he was concerned.
He likes it in Pittsburgh. He loves the culture here. The locker room has embraced him.
The Steelers won’t get a hometown discount, but Wilson also won’t be looking to break the bank.
He’s not going anywhere.
• The expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams was supposed to eliminate the teeth gnashing about teams being passed over who should have been involved in the tournament.
But we now have three-loss teams in the SEC arguing they should be in over two- and even one-loss teams simply because their schedule is harder.
Sorry. Win the games you’re supposed to win.
We wouldn’t be having this discussion if, for example, Alabama scored more than 3 points against a below-average Oklahoma team.
This week’s games
Browns (plus 6½) at Steelers: The Browns knocked off the Steelers, 24-19, two weeks ago. But that was on a short work week, taking place on a Thursday night. This time around, it’s the Browns, who played in Denver Monday night, who have the short week before traveling. The Browns are 1-5 on the road. They won’t get to 2-5. But they might keep this within a touchdown – if Jameis Winston stops throwing pick-6s. Take the Browns to cover in a 30-24 loss.
Bengals (minus 5½) at Cowboys: The Bengals have lost four games when they’ve scored more than 30 points. The rest of the NFL has lost two such games. The Bengals’ defense is awful. Can Dallas take advantage? Maybe. Maybe not. Take the Bengals, 31-24.
Chargers (plus 4) at Chiefs: The Chiefs have been squeaking past opponents, just doing enough to win. The Chargers’ pass rush will give Kansas City’s offensive tackles fits. Upset special. Take the Chargers, 24-23.
Raiders (plus 6½) at Buccaneers: The Raiders lost a heartbreaker to the Chiefs last week when they mishandled a snap while in field-goal range and down by just two points. The Bucs, meanwhile, have been on a roll. Their offense will be too much for the Raiders. Take the Bucs, 34-17.
Panthers (plus 12) at Eagles: The Panthers have been competitive in recent weeks and Bryce Young is playing better. But Philadelphia’s defense is playing lights out. And Saquon Barkley might run for 200 yards against Carolina’s defense. Take the Eagles, 38-16.
Last Week: 3-2 ATS, 5-0 Straight up
Overall: 38-28 ATS; 46-20 Straight up
Dale Lolley hosts The Drive on Steelers Nation Radio and writes a Sunday column for the Observer-Reporter.