Russell Wilson throws for 2 TDs, runs for another TD in Pittsburgh debut as Steelers rout Jets 37-15

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Russell Wilson sat at the podium, uniform still on, in no rush to move on from a moment he believed would always come.

Even as the weeks passed and his aching calf struggled to get better. Even as Justin Fields deftly guided the Pittsburgh Steelers in his place. Even as the outside noise of a potential quarterback controversy seemed to be growing ever louder.

Belief is a big thing for the 35-year-old Wilson. He believed he would get an opportunity to reset his career in Pittsburgh. And while the start may have come a little later than he would have preferred, Wilson offered proof he's not close to finished during a 37-15 victory over Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets on Sunday night.

Wilson threw for two touchdowns and ran for another score. He completed 16 of 29 passes for 264 yards, shaking off some early rust and ignoring the boos and brief chants for Fields when the offense sputtered in the first half. An 11-yard lob to George Pickens for a touchdown late in the first half allowed Wilson to exhale.

"I was like, ‘There’s going to be a lot more of these I believe,’” Wilson said.

While there weren't any more scores to Pickens, there was a 1-yard touchdown run on a sneak in the third quarter and a 4-yard flip to Van Jefferson in the fourth as Pittsburgh (5-2) topped 30 points in consecutive weeks for the first time since early in the 2020 season.

“We’re just right on that edge of getting really good and being great,” Wilson said. “We’ve got to keep searching for that edge, learning and studying and spending the time on it.”

Though he's not quite in the “Let Russ Cook” era of his prime, Wilson looked more than capable in front of a packed crowd that included Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Pittsburgh ripped off the game's final 31 points after spotting the Jets a 15-6 lead.

“We’re doing some good things and the reality is that there’s so much more out there and we’ll get better as we go,” Wilson said. "We’ll keep working but to be where we are in a good place.”

The Jets (2-5), not so much.

New York's retooled offense — which now includes Davante Adams, who was reunited with Rodgers this week after being acquired in a trade with Las Vegas — couldn't keep up the Jets dropped their fourth consecutive game and seond under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich.

“That game, especially that second half, that’s not who this team is,” Ulbrich said. “That’s not good enough and it starts with me and the coaching staff and goes down to every single player on this team. We can all give more and we will give more.”

New York will have to if it wants to get back into contention in the AFC East. Rodgers passed for 276 yards with a touchdown and connected with Adams three times for 30 yards, but also had two passes intercepted by rookie cornerback Beanie Bishop and the Steelers turned those into game-turning scores.

The Jets were up nine and had a chance to extend their lead in the first half when Bishop stepped in front of Rodgers' pass intended for Garrett Wilson at midfield for his first career interception. Pickens first touchdown of the season soon followed.

Chris Boswell kicked the third of three field goals midway through the third quarter to put the Steelers in front when Bishop struck again.

Rodgers tried to hit Garrett Wilson down the left sideline on New York’s next possession, but the ball bounced off Wilson and into Bishop’s hands. Bishop raced to the Jets 1, only failing to score because a sprinting Adams chased him down just short of the goal line.

No matter, Wilson bulled his way into the end zone on the next play. A scoring toss to Jefferson early in the fourth gave the Steelers the kind of breathing room that's been rare the last handful of seasons for a team that has played more one-score games than anyone since the start of 2021.

Tomlin raised some eyebrows earlier in the week when he opted to turn to Wilson over Fields, who had racked up 10 touchdowns (five passing, five rushing) against just one turnover in six starts. Tomlin’s reasoning was simple: The Steelers had been good, but “not to be confused with great.”

Asked afterward how challenging it was to give the starting job to Wilson in the face of Fields' play, Tomlin smiled.

“That's why I'm well compensated," the NFL's longest-tenured coach said before walking away.

Jets: G Xavier Newman was carted off with a neck injury after getting blocked on Bishop’s interception return early in the second half. He was taken to the hospital for observation. X-rays were negative and Newman was able to fly how with the team. ... G Alijah Vera-Tucker injured an ankle in the second quarter and did not return. ... S Tony Adams left with a hamstring injury. ... S Ashtyn Davis was evaluated for a concussion.

Steelers: DT Montravius Adams exited in the first half with a knee injury. ... CB Donte Jackson left in the first half with a shoulder injury.

Jets: At New England next Sunday.

Steelers: Host the New York Giants on Monday, Oct. 28.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) celebrates his touchdown with offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. (65) in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) talks on the bench in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) celebrates his interception with linebacker Payton Wilson (41) in the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) returns an interception in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin reacts from the sideline in the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) celebrates a first down catch in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (17) pulls in a pass reception against Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) in the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) passes in the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump attends the Pittsburgh Steelers game against the New York Jets Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Pittsburgh, with Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (Win McNamee/Pool via AP)

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) celebrates his touchdown reception against New York Jets with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani carried the injury-riddled Los Angeles Dodgers to baseball's best record during the regular season. Tommy Edman joined the team in late July and helped them reach the World Series.

It's been that kind of year for the big-spending Dodgers. When Ohtani isn't amazing with his power at the plate and prowess on the basepaths, someone else is stepping up.

Edman and Will Smith homered to send Ohtani into the World Series for the first time, and the Dodgers eliminated the New York Mets with a 10-5 victory in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series on Sunday night. Los Angeles opens the World Series against the New York Yankees on Friday.

“I really feel like we finally arrived, I finally arrived at this stage,” Ohtani said through a translator. “A lot of the games we played were really tough and hard to win, and it was truly a team effort to get here.”

The Dodgers clinched their record 25th NL pennant and first at home since 1988, when they beat the Mets in seven games. They moved on to their 22nd World Series — 13th in Los Angeles — and first since 2020, when they beat Tampa Bay during the pandemic-delayed season.

“Every year I get to spring training and I wonder how we’re going to make a baseball team fit because we have so many talented players,” reliever Evan Phillips said. “I wouldn’t say we planned for injuries but we planned to have multiple guys contribute throughout the year.”

Next up for Ohtani and Co. is Aaron Judge and the Yankees, back in the World Series for the 41st time and first in 15 years. The matchup, which opens at Dodger Stadium, features the top two home-run hitters in Judge (58) and Ohtani (54).

“It’s kind of what the people wanted, what we all wanted,” Dodgers star Mookie Betts said. “It’s going to be a battle of two good teams, a lot of long flights across the country.”

It’ll be the 12th time the storied franchises meet in the World Series and the first in 43 years. The Yankees have beaten the Dodgers eight times, while the Dodgers’ three championships against the Bronx Bombers came in 1955, 1963 and 1981.

“It’s the place that I’ve dreamt of playing all my life,” Ohtani said, “and to be able to finally come to this stage and be able to play and hopefully win it is my next goal.”

Playing his first season with the Dodgers after agreeing to a record $700 million, 10-year contract as a free agent, Ohtani had two hits and scored two runs in Game 6. He hit .364 with two homers and six RBIs in the NLCS.

“The goal was to get to this far,” Ohtani said. “And I also pictured myself getting this far with the contract that I’ve signed.”

Ohtani spent his first six MLB seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, who never had a winning record or reached the playoffs during his tenure.

“We wouldn’t be here without him,” Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy said. “We went through a lot of injuries and there was a good stretch during the regular season where he singlehandedly carried us.”

The Dodgers, who were eliminated in the Division Series the last two years, spent a combined $1 billion last winter to sign Ohtani and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto to lucrative long-term contracts in hopes of winning the franchise’s eighth World Series title.

Rookie Ben Casparius got four outs for the win and Blake Treinen the save in his first two-inning outing since the 2021 NLCS.

Los Angeles trailed after Pete Alonso's run-scoring single against starter Michael Kopech.

Edman gave the Dodgers the lead for good with a two-run double in the bottom half off Sean Manaea that drove in Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández, who both singled. Hernández snapped an 0-for-18 skid.

Edman drove in the Dodgers' first four runs and his 11 RBIs in the NLCS tied a franchise record set by Corey Seager in 2020 against Atlanta. Edman, who won the NLCS MVP award, joined the Dodgers at the July trade deadline from St. Louis.

“I think the common theme for this season has been a lot of people, different guys have been stepping up over the course of the season,” Ohtani said.

Edman sent a 406-foot shot to left-center for a two-run homer in a four-run third that included Smith’s 416-foot drive to center off Phil Maton that extended the lead to 6-1.

“I never imagined once we acquired him, he’d be hitting fourth in a postseason game,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Edman. “But I trust him. The guys trust him. He’s made huge defensive plays for us and had huge hits.”

Vientos hit his fifth postseason homer, a two-run drive in the fourth Ryan Brasier that cut the deficit to 6-3 in the fourth.

The Dodgers, whose starting pitching has been decimated by injuries, used seven pitchers in finishing off the Mets, whose $332 million payroll was the biggest in baseball.

New York twice stranded the bases loaded, when Anthony Banda struck out Jeff McNeil in the third and when Jesse Winker flied out against Phillips in the sixth.

Los Angeles outscored New York 40-26 in the six games. The Mets came within two wins of reaching the World Series after a 22-33 start and earning the NL’s last wild card.

“This should be our expectations moving forward every year, we should be playing games deep into October,” first year-manager Carlos Mendoza said.

Manaea lasted just two innings, giving up five runs and six hits. Alonso had two hits and drove in a run in what could have been his final game for the Mets. The first baseman is eligible for free agency after the World Series.

“I love this team. I love this organization. This fanbase has treated not just myself, but my family so, so well,” Alonso said.

The sellout crowd of 52,674 included Tom Hanks, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Magic Johnson, Rob Lowe, Josh Groban, Jenny McCarthy and Vanessa Bryant.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Dodgers: 1B Freddie Freeman sat out for the third time in the postseason because of his sprained right ankle. He also missed Game 4 of the NLCS and Game 4 of the NLDS.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

New York Mets' Mark Vientos celebrates a two-run home run during fourth inning of Game 6 in a baseball NL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

New York Mets pitcher Edwin Díaz reacts during the fourth inning in Game 6 of a baseball NL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto watch during the sixth inning in Game 6 of a baseball NL Championship Series against the New York Mets, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Will Smith watches his two-run home run against the New York Mets during the third inning in Game 6 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

New York Mets' Francisco Lindor celebrates with Starling Marte after scoring on a throwing error by Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chris Taylor during the first inning in Game 6 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Michael Kopech throws against the New York Mets during the first inning in Game 6 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 6 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Teoscar Hernández celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a double by Tommy Edman against the New York Mets during the first inning in Game 6 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso reacts after getting hit with a foul ball against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning in Game 6 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani hits RBI-single against the New York Mets during the sixth inning in Game 6 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Tommy Edman celebrates a two-run home run against the New York Mets during the third inning in Game 6 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Will Smith celebrates a two-run home run against the New York Mets during the third inning in Game 6 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Tommy Edman hits a two-run home run against the New York Mets during the third inning in Game 6 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)