5 things we learned in Steelers’ win over Ravens: Defining play by a Wilson on defense

Five things we learned from Steelers 18, Ravens 16.

1. Payton’s play saved the day

The Steelers have been counting on a Wilson to make game-changing plays in the passing game this season.

The expectation was that it would come from veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, not rookie inside linebacker Payton Wilson.

But it was the third-round pick who created a critical turnover in the fourth quarter with an impressive interception that was called an “All-Pro play” by teammate Patrick Queen.

Payton Wilson, a 6-foot-4, 242-pounder, ripped a potential 24-yard catch away from running back Justice Hill for a pick at the Steelers’ 36 with 8:14 left to prevent the Ravens from rallying for a go-ahead score.

PAYTON WILSON RIPS IT AWAY. WILD @STEELERS INT.

????: #BALvsPIT on CBS/Paramount+
????: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/lisvTk1lt7

— NFL (@NFL) November 17, 2024

Queen, a former Raven, called it an “All-Pro play,” one that was “insane” for a rookie to make in the AFC North rivalry game.

“When you got a wheel route out of the backfield and you’ve got a nasty split by the receiver, you’re going to get a pick route,” Wilson said. “So if you go over the pick route he’s probably not going throw the ball, so I chose to be under it and go into chase mode. As soon as his hand went up, I stuck my arm through his hands and played through his hands and then the ball hit my hands and when he tried to come down just ripped it out.”

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Wilson spent the week focused on preparing for the matchup that pitted a pass-situation linebacker against a pass-situation runner in Hill.

“He’s a young guy, so we knew they were going to go at him,” Tomlin said. “Payton did a good job of preparing him and not blinking in-game and understanding the urgency of that matchup. That’s why I think he was successful. You create your fortune sometimes when you lock in. And he was locked in, very cognizant of the challenge and rose up to meet it.”

2. Herbig strips Henry

Nick Herbig stepped into the starting lineup to replace the injured Alex Highsmith (left ankle) at outside linebacker, and didn’t waste any time making a major impact on the game.

On the second play from scrimmage, Herbig stripped NFL rushing leader Derrick Henry to force a fumble that was recovered by strong safety DeShon Elliott.

It was the first lost fumble in 538 touches for Henry, who entered the game leading the league in rushing yards (1,120) and touchdowns (14) but was held to 65 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.

“You’ve got to get the ball off them any way you can,” said Herbig, who also had two tackles and a quarterback hit.

3. Mount Washington on the incline

Steelers tight end Darnell Washington made his presence felt on the first drive, when he went in motion and flattened an edge defender with a block to spring Najee Harris for an 11-yard gain.

Darnell Washington absolutely did his job on this play.#Steelers #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/IJM6uinz9i

— Obviously (Not) Tomlin (@Tomlin_Sense) November 17, 2024

But Washington had an even bigger impact in the passing game, catching two passes for a career-high 42 yards.

Both came in the fourth quarter, on seam routes that provided big plays. Russell Wilson found Washington over the middle for a 25-yard gain to the Baltimore 18. Four plays later, however, Wilson escaped pressure in the pocket and lofted a pass that sailed over the 6-foot-7 Washington — who made no attempt to catch it — and into the hands of Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey for a pick.

“I was just trying to alley-oop to the big boy,” Russell Wilson said. “Unfortunately, that didn’t work out for us. That can happen. Just wanted to give him a chance and, unfortunately, didn’t make the play.”

Darnell Washington is 6'7" but didn't even try to make an attempt to jump and catch the football on this play. pic.twitter.com/mqkKU1e5gp

— Billy Hartford (@CamHeywardFan) November 17, 2024

Washington made up for the play on the next possession. On third-and-7 at the Steelers’ 39, he caught a 17-yard pass in Baltimore territory. That helped set up Chris Boswell’s 50-yard field goal for an 18-10 lead.

“Darnell’s been so big for us, obviously, him in the run game, him in the passing game,” Russell Wilson said. “Obviously, he caught that big seam up the middle, which was a huge, huge play for us. I think he’s done some really, really good things for us. We’ve got great confidence in him. That was another key part to the game.”

George Pickens on the Steelers package with Justin Fields and also on the Steelers keeping their cool during a chippy, intense game vs a rival pic.twitter.com/EjteOxBEIj

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) November 17, 2024

4. Finding a role for Fields

Steelers backup quarterback Justin Fields earned praise for his scout-team work simulating dual-threats Jayden Daniels of Washington and Lamar Jackson of Baltimore in practice the past two weeks.

Tomlin had promised packages involving Fields, and finally unveiled them in the second half against the Ravens. Fields responded with 17 yards on two carries, though neither picked up a first down.

With a second-and-11 at Baltimore’s 49 early in the third quarter, Fields ran a keeper for an 8-yard gain. But Wilson’s third-and-3 pass to Jaylen Warren went for 2 yards, forcing a Boswell 57-yard field goal.

Fields was inserted again on a second-and-10 at the Steelers’ 30 with 1:02 left in the game. He went around the left end for 9 yards but slid before reaching the first-down marker.

“We haven’t been bashful about our intentions,” Tomlin said. “I know sometimes you guys think we make stuff up, but he’s a capable dude and we’re going to utilize him. He’s really talented.”

Tomlin said both Wilson and Fields — who has 44 career starts, including the first six games this season for the Steelers — are “both going to be reasons why we’re successful and have been.”

“He had a heck of a week, man, representing Mr. Jackson for us, for example,” Tomlin said of Fields, “so I’m glad he had an opportunity to contribute, put his hand in the pile and be a component of why we were successful.”

5. Jones staying in starting lineup

Second-year right tackle Broderick Jones had another rough game. He drew two holding penalties, an unsportsmanlike conduct call for a scuffle with Humphrey and allowed Ravens end Odafe Oweh to record 2½ sacks and four quarterback hits.

For all of his struggles this season, Jones was a 2023 first-round pick who lost his starting job to 2024 first-rounder Troy Fautanu and regained it when Fautanu was lost to a dislocated kneecap.

Tomlin made it clear that he’s sticking with Jones.

“I am not worried about that,” Tomlin said. “You guys can write all you want. Broderick Jones is playing right tackle for us. He’s going to continue to get better. He’s a top-quality player, in terms of his talent. He’s a young guy. He’s experiencing some on-the-job training. He and I will not blink.”