As the clock wound down on a chilly Saturday evening in Cincinnati, Russell Wilson heaved a prayer downfield to George Pickens, hoping for a miracle. But like so many of their attempts to connect in this disappointing season finale, the pass sailed hopelessly out of reach, clanging to the turf as the Steelers’ slim playoff hopes faded to black.
Pittsburgh’s high-powered offense, expected by many to carry them on a deep postseason run, instead sputtered and stalled in the biggest game of the year. Wilson and Pickens, the electrifying rookie who emerged as a star in the season’s second half, could never quite get on the same page, plagued by miscommunication and missed opportunities from start to finish.
A Disappointing Day
Pickens hauled in just one of his five targets on the day for zero yards, with three costly drops. It was a startling disappearing act for a player who averaged over 75 yards per game since Wilson took over at quarterback. The typically sure-handed wideout appeared visibly frustrated at times, gesturing angrily towards the stands after one incompletion.
Wilson did his best to shoulder the blame for the miscues, expressing unwavering confidence in his young teammate. “I believe in George,” Wilson said. “He’s been a star for us all season. If anybody believes in him, I do. I have no hesitation throwing him the football.” But belief alone couldn’t overcome their lack of chemistry in a game the Steelers had to have.
Untimely Struggles
The Steelers entered the day still alive for a Wild Card spot, but the offense’s untimely struggles cost them dearly. Wilson looked Pickens’ way only once in the first three quarters before trying to force-feed him late, with little success. On a day when the defense largely held up their end, the misfires were too much to overcome in a narrow 19-17 defeat.
“Everybody who guarded him ate today,” gloated Bengals corner Cam Taylor-Britt of Pickens. “They didn’t do s—. That was good on our end. That’s their momentum-grabber. And we didn’t let them get no momentum.”
Cam Taylor-Britt, Bengals cornerback
Crunch-Time Misfires
With their season essentially on the line, Wilson looked to his top target again and again in crunch time. But three straight deep shots to a well-covered Pickens fell incomplete, including the fateful 4th down heave with 20 seconds remaining. As Pickens tumbled to the turf in despair, the Steelers’ playoff dreams may have crashed down with him.
Key Takeaways:
- Wilson and Pickens plagued by miscommunication in must-win game
- Promising rookie wideout limited to 1 catch on 5 targets for 0 yards
- Missed connections cost Steelers dearly in narrow 19-17 defeat
- Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes likely dashed with fourth straight loss
The Steelers now face an uphill battle to sneak into the postseason, needing a win and lots of help in Week 18. Wilson expressed faith the duo will recapture their magic when it matters most. “He’s going to be a difference-maker for us in the playoffs,” Wilson insisted. They’ll need to rediscover their chemistry in a hurry to even give themselves that chance after this brutal missed opportunity in Cincinnati.
