After every game of the Steelers 2024 season, I'll give you my 10 takes again. These won't be hot takes meant to shock the world. These are immediate reactions to the game, written in the post-game period when emotions are high and ideas are fresh. Included are thoughts, observations, questions, and reasons that led me to yell at the television.

Week 7 of the regular season against the New York Jets

1. Rusty Wilson – The quarterback change left us wondering what was going to happen, and in the early moments of the game, it wasn't pretty. A couple throws in the dirt. A few darts that were difficult to catch or were too low. Three trips that were three and out. There were boos at the start of the game. Even most of the additions to George Pickens were discarded. But they were perfection. They gave Pickens a chance to make a play. As the game progressed, Wilson became more comfortable. The offense moved with consistency. Overall, a good win and hopefully a good start to the Wilson era.

2. Bishop Pickering – Young Mr. Bishop couldn't help but think, “God would never interfere with the best game of my life.” Gotta love a defensive back with a short memory. He struggled during the loss to the Dallas Cowboys a few weeks ago, but he was solid last week. Tonight was Bishop's best performance yet with 6 tackles, a tackle for loss and 2 interceptions. Without a significant attempt from Davante Adams, he would be just a meter away from a score. Getting two picks over Aaron Rodgers, who has one of the lowest interception rates in history, is an impressive feat, especially for a rookie. I hope Aaron signed the balls for him.

3. The man is a threat – Welcome back, Alex Highsmith. The Jets showed TJ Watt the respect he deserved as he was often blocked or chipped by two teams. Highsmith was the beneficiary of this plan, playing one-on-one and applying a lot of pressure. A nice spirit rush to build pressure in a game. A split second after a sack fumble on another play. During another rush he was attacked by the LT, otherwise he would have received a sack. And his run defense is so good at the rim. He makes this defense so much better.

4. Read Danny's Lips – It wasn't hard to guess what Danny Smith thought about the “leverage” on the blocked extra point. Luckily it didn't affect the outcome, but the officials regularly seem to find something random to call against the Steelers. I wanted to write about how I like using Replay Assist to correct decisions even when they don't benefit the Steelers. Just make the call right. And then they make the leverage call as Minkah Fitzpatrick touches two players' hands. Can't the replay assistant intervene there too?

5. Think about this drive – Dean Lowry's blocked field goal was a turning point in the game. It could be a turning point of the season. The ensuing drive was an 11-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a touchdown. Offenses in recent years have resulted in drives that are somewhere between a three-and-out and a field goal after such a big game. They converted a third down to get their first first down. They often couldn't get a first down. There were no more negative plays after that, and the Steelers methodically marched down the field to score a touchdown. In this way, the offense has found its direction and perhaps the direction for the season.

6. Slips to Sticks – The defense's attacks were irregular in the first half of the game. Ball carriers slipping, arms flailing. I think there was even one Three henchmen bit in where three defenders collided and all missed the runner. The running back, I'll say that again, the running back had 98 yards after the catch at one point! I don't know what was even said to get them to improve. Maybe they just tackle things better with a head start. They were much better in the second half. If this entire team, consisting of offense, defense and special teams, ever plays their “A” game at the same time, this team could be scary.

7. Run Game Redress – The entire offense seemed to operate at a faster pace, but the running game in particular stood out. There seemed to be a concerted effort to get the ball into the runner's hands quicker. The runners, in turn, hesitated less behind the line of scrimmage, a planned attempt to hit the holes quicker before they had a chance to close. Even the throwing plays that seemed to drag in previous games were effective. The runners were more decisive and ran more aggressively. It is a positive direction.

8. The decision about Darnell – I don't know who ultimately approved it, but I'm glad we're finally seeing it. Darnell Washington was given permission to throw the ball. To that point, he had 13 receptions in 23 games and 4 of them came in one game. Did you know that he averages 9 yards per reception over his career? Not bad, right? And defensive backs don’t want to tackle a mountain. Even linebacker Quincy Williams, who is a damn good linebacker, bounced off Mount Washington while trying to make a tackle. Every offensive player has to play to his strengths. You know those second and long runs? Instead, send it to Washington and let him make it to third and final place.

9. Big Play Benton – It's week 7 and this might be my first mention of Keeanu Benton. He was good, made some plays and applied some pressure. Nothing spectacular stands out, but he made two significant plays in the fourth quarter as the Jets tried to break a two-point game in half. The first, a detection and resolution of a screen pass on 2nd and 5th. He did a good job of screen recognition in his first season and a half. Then he knocked down the Rodgers pass on fourth down. They were huge plays to thwart the drive.

10. The University – This was an important conference win. Back-to-back 30-point games are so rare that it shocks me a little. Wilson could be the missing link to a productive offense. All good things. But I had to mention the uniforms. The block numbers are a thing of beauty. The gray face masks are the chef's kiss. Did you know that they have never lost a game in these uniforms? That's not true, but it feels like it. They just give you that warm and fuzzy feeling inside. Can we submit a request for these to become standard?