Despite posting a passer rating of 116.7—his fourth consecutive game above 90 — Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson faced criticism following his first loss as a starter.
Wilson was among the losers in Tyler Dragon’s winners and losers column for USA Today, where he wrote:
Wilson suffered his first loss as the Steelers’ starting QB despite producing his fourth straight game with a passer rating above 90 (116.7). The veteran quarterback is now 4-1 as Pittsburgh’s starter. He’s played well enough to keep his job.
A trend of Wilson’s this season is a shaky start, and the Week 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns was no different. Wilson’s fumble at the end of the first quarter led to three points on the board for Cleveland. He finally got it together to finish the night 21-for-28, 270 yards and a touchdown.
Wilson’s arrival in Pittsburgh has been positive overall, with the QB leading the team to a 4-1 record since taking the reins. The former Super Bowl champion has proven he can still manage games efficiently and connect on deep shots to receivers. However, Wilson has been holding onto the ball too long, resulting in 16 sacks since taking over as the starter.
Critics may point to his age or that Wilson’s best years are behind him, but his on-field performance tells a different story. As the Steelers prepare for Week 13, Wilson’s leadership and ability to rebound from adversity will be put to the test by the Cincinnati Bengals.
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