Third time’s a charm: The first game of inside linebacker Payton Wilson’s third NFL season was unlike any he’d played previously with the Steelers.
“Just able to really fly around and have fun,” Wilson said of his 12-tackle effort in Sunday’s regular-season opener, a 20-13 victory over Atlanta at Acrisure Stadium. “I was talking to ‘P.G.’ (defensive coordinator Patrick Graham) yesterday (Tuesday), on the off day, just telling him it’s the most fun I’ve had playing football since college, just flying around with the guys.
“It felt like we were all just running around hitting. Nobody really cared if someone made a mistake because someone else was running to the ball, covering it up for them.”
From Wilson’s perspective, the defensive frenzy started on the first snap of Atlanta’s first possession.
Defensive tackle Cam Heyward was credited with the tackle on running back Bijan Robinson’s 2-yard gain on the play but Wilson recognized fellow inside linebacker Patrick Queen for helping to ignite a defensive spark.
“‘P.Q.’ making a great play first play of the game, us condensing the space and just doing what we talked about as a defense all week, it just felt good to get started on the right foot,” Wilson said. “And then from there on just hitting the ground running.”
Wilson’s 12 tackles included five solo stops and two tackles for a loss.
“Just more comfortable, not as jittery,” he said. “Kind of knowing what’s coming in a sense based off formation and the look that they gave you rather than every single play reacting.
“Slowing the game down has really helped me. Big shoutout to ‘P.G.’, obviously our (inside) linebackers coach Scott (McCurley) and then the guys in the room just helping me out.”
The hot start has Wilson thinking big in terms of defensive goals and objectives this season. And he’s not alone, apparently.
“‘P.Q.’ says it all the time, if the offense can give us 17, 21 points, we believe we can win every ballgame,” Wilson maintained.
“There’s gonna be some times where we let up stuff. But the talent we have and if we execute what these coaches are calling we feel like we can be pretty special.”
— Blog entry by Mike Prisuta