The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing a Wild Card showdown with the Baltimore Ravens this weekend, but they are not riding a lot of momentum thanks in large part to some poor play from starting quarterback Russell Wilson.
The Steelers are limping into the playoffs a bit after losing four consecutive games to close the season. And the play from Russell Wilson is a significant reason why.
In the past four games, Wilson has thrown two interceptions and fumbled the ball three times while failing to throw for more than 150 yards in half of those games.
During his press conference this week, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin referred to Wilson’s performance as “spotty at best,” and indicated that he would be willing to play backup quarterback Justin Fields against the Ravens.
“Certainly, in an effort to win this game, I am open to any combination or combinations of the division of labor [at quarterback] in an effort to do so,” Tomlin said according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh Steelers insider Joe Starkey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette thinks that there is a chance Wilson could be benched if he does not play well against the Ravens.
“Mike Tomlin isn’t exactly professing tons of confidence in ‘Mr. Unlimited’ at the moment,” Steelers insider Joe Starkey said. “His comments make it seem like if Tomlin wants Russ to cook at all, it’s nothing more than scrambled eggs and toast.
“I have to believe that Tomlin is ready to go to his bullpen early,” Starkey continued. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think — based on his comments — that he’s secretly planning to start Fields.”
We’ll have to see whether or not Tomlin will bench Wilson in this weekend’s game.
About Kevin Harrish