The Pittsburgh Steelers got away with a 18-16 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday afternoon, they improved their record to 8-2 on the year while also maintaining pole position in the AFC North.

The Steelers defense was the real hero of the day, holding a Ravens offense that entered the contest leading the league in yards and points per game with a total of 329 in the former category and the aforementioned 16 in the latter.

Pittsburgh’s offense had its moments, but the unit’s overall performance was not up to par against a Baltimore defense that has struggled mightily all season, especially against the pass.

Russell Wilson went 23-for-36 for 205 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception in the end zone. He was far from sharp, but the team’s woes through the air don’t fall entirely on his shoulders.

Beyond George Pickens, who led the Steelers with eight catches and 89 yards, the team’s wide receivers combined for just two receptions and three yards while being targeted three times.

The team’s need for additional help at the position was well established in the offseason, but much to the chagrin of fans, they were unable to bring in reinforcements before the regular season began.

Pittsburgh hit top targets such as Brandon Aiyuk and Davante Adamsalthough he seemed to find a temporary solution acquiring Mike Williams from the New York Jets at the trading deadline.

Williams, an eight-year veteran, previously sparked interest from the Steelers as a free agent before signing a $10 million deal with the Jets through the 2024 campaign. The 30-year-old never found his feet in New York , hauling in 12 receptions for 166 yards in nine contests, yet Pittsburgh felt comfortable enough in his talent to cough up a 2025 fifth-rounder for him.

As a rental, the prevailing hope was that Williams would come in for the rest of the year and figure as a strong No. 2 receiver who could stretch the field alongside Pickens.

After all, he played alongside Keenan Allen as members of the Los Angeles Chargers for seven seasons. While there isn’t a direct correlation between what he experienced there and the Steelers situation, it’s similar enough to the point where they probably felt he had potential that went untapped with the Jets.

Williams played sparingly in Pittsburgh’s Week 10 matchup with the Washington Commanders, though he announced his arrival with a bang, throwing a game-winning 32-yard touchdown just before the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter .

His numbers went from nine against Washington to 25 against the Ravens, but he had nothing to show for it. It’s hard to complain when the Steelers came away with a solid win over their biggest rival, but Williams’ lack of looks can’t become a trend.

Right now, he’s their most reliable option at receiver behind Pickens. Williams has a long track record of 5,004 yards and 32 scores over his career, and it would be unforgivable to let him become an afterthought.

Sure, there’s an element of unfamiliarity that may currently prevent his involvement. The bottom line, though, is that the Steelers need to use Williams to hit his cap this year.

They have a Super Bowl-caliber roster and coaching staff, but those prospects won’t be realized if Pickens is the only true threat in the passing game. Williams will need to step up, but Pittsburgh also needs to make sure he becomes a focal point on offense.

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