Steelers fans were looking for a bounce-back game from Russell Wilson and the offense ahead of the NFL Playoffs. This wasn't it. After getting humiliated by the Eagles, Ravens, and Chiefs in December, Pittsburgh didn't exactly start the New Year off with a bang against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18.
Looking to gain some much-needed momentum before the postseason, Mike Tomlin's team fell flat. The Steelers looked outmatched and outcoached. This time around, it wasn't the defense that let the team down; rather, it was a dismal showing by Wilson and company.
The Steelers were pulverized in time of possession (38 minutes to 22 minutes), but Wilson's numbers were even more egregious and were largely the reason this offense couldn't stay on the field. The 36-year-old quarterback completed 17 of 31 pass attempts for a mere 148 yards and a touchdown. This equated to a despicable 4.8 yards per attempt and a 78.4 passer rating. Wilson took four sacks in the process.
Not everything was the quarterback's fault. George Pickens had a dreadful showing against the Bengals as he continually let the ball slip through his hands. Pat Freiermuth—who was Pittsburgh's lead receiver in this contest—dropped the football on Pittsburgh's final offensive play, which could have given the Steelers a chance to kick the game-winning field goal.
However, from the decision-making to the execution, Wilson was flat-out bad in Week 18. Now some serious questions loom as an ice-cold Steelers team prepares to head into the NFL Playoffs.
Steelers have no chance in the playoffs if Russell Wilson doesn't improve
As encouraged as Steelers fans were about Russell Wilson mid-way through the season, their feelings for the veteran quarterback have flipped entirely. Over the past four games, Wilson has averaged 174.5 passing yards per contest for a dismal 5.6 yards per attempt.
Pittsburgh is 0-4 in this stretch—getting outscored 109-57 in the process.
Russell Wilson over his last 4 games:
— Tommy Jaggi (@TommyJaggi) January 5, 2025
174.5 yards per game
1 TD per game
0.5 INT per game
5.6 yards per attempt
81.2 passer rating
The #Steelers are toast in the playoffs if Wilson doesn't improve.
While some fans would point to a tough stretch of games as to why Wilson is struggling, good quarterbacks must show up in the most important moments of the season, and Wilson did not.
After an atrocious four-game stretch, it's impossible to have any confidence that Wilson will suddenly turn things around in the playoffs. The Steelers will be on the road in the Wild Card round next week. Pittsburgh will play the Ravens if the Chargers can secure a victory over the Raiders in their season finale. If the Chargers fall in Week 18, the Steelers will travel to Houston to face the Texans next week.
At this point, it doesn't seem to matter who the Steelers play. With the offense hitting new lows and Russell Wilson struggling worse than anyone could have expected, Pittsburgh may be destined to continue an eight-year drought without a playoff win.
It's too little too late, but the Steelers might want to seriously consider going with Justin Fields in the playoffs because of how bad things have been on offense.