The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the AFC playoffs on the heels of a four-game losing streak after dropping yet another game to the Cincinnati Bengals.
With a 19-17 loss, the Steelers became just the third team in NFL history to enter the playoffs on at least a four-game losing streak. A major part of the team’s struggles against the Bengals came with the inefficiency in play from quarterback Russell Wilson and wide receiver George Pickens.
After missing three games because of a hamstring injury, Pickens and Wilson didn’t seem to be on the same page as the star wide receiver finished the game with one catch on five targets for zero yards and three drops.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) celebrate after combining for a touchdown against the New York Jets during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium.
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
After the game Wilson made it clear he still believes in Pickens despite the season-worst performance in a pivotal game.
“I believe in George,” Wilson told reporters after the game. “Listen, everything’s not always perfect for everyone. This is an imperfect game and everything else. I believe in George, I believe in who he is, the player that he is.
“He’s been a star for us all season and he’s going to be a difference-maker obviously for us in the playoffs. I’m looking forward to that, and what he can do, what we can do together. And I’m not blinking on George. If anybody believes in him, I definitely do.”
Fans weren’t too sure about Wilson’s comments.
“Hes given up its best to just bench him and put Roman Wilson in,” one fan said.
“They can believe in each other on a other team next season,” suggested another.
“I’m guessing George was blinking,” offered a third.
Wilson said Pickens’ absence from the field for three weeks due to an injury played a major role in his lack of success over the final five weeks of the season.
“It feels like he hasn’t made plays in forever because he was out for three weeks,” Wilson said. “I mean it’s hard to compile all that and look back and be like, ‘Oh yeah, he hasn’t made plays in five weeks.’ Well, he missed three of them. Last week didn’t go our way for whatever reason, then tonight obviously, it didn’t go our way. And I think that great players sometimes it doesn’t go their way that day.
“But if anybody believes in George, I do. I have no hesitation to throw the football to him and what he can do and what he means to us and our football team and the rest of the guys, too.”