Steelers rookie phenom comes up with the defensive play of the year

Just when it felt like the Ravens were gaining momentum, Payton Wilson quickly put an end to it. With the Steelers holding a five-point lead with 8:24 remaining in the fourth quarter, quarterback Lamar Jackson made a beautiful pass down the seam to running back Justice Hill.

But just when it looked like the Ravens were on the cusp of scoring, it was Wilson who miraculously came down with the football off a spectacular interception.

Wilson, an All-American linebacker, was one of two third-round picks of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2024 NFL Draft. He's already paying dividends for this defense.

After the takeaway from the stellar rookie linebacker, the Steelers marched back down the field and punched in a field goal -- giving Pittsburgh an 18-10 lead with 3:35 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Clutch defensive plays aid Steelers against the Ravens

This was hardly the first big play by a Steelers defender in a pivotal AFC North contest against the Ravens. Just before the half, fellow Pittsburgh linebacker Patrick Queen came up with an incredible forced fumble against tight end Isaiah Likely and recovered his own fumble.

With Russell Wilson struggling and the offense falling flat, it's the defense that has stepped up against the number one offense in the NFL.

Wilson was widely considered one of the best linebackers in the nation prior to the 2024 NFL Draft, but he slipped to the third round because of a scary medical history and the lack of an ACL in one knee. Despite his injuries, Wilson has already been well worth the selection, and his phenomenal interception against the Ravens may have saved the game for the Steelers.

Let's hope there are plenty more plays like this in his future.