Mike Williams scored one more touchdown than the entire New York Jets’ team did on Sunday.
While the Jets were held out of the end zone in an embarrassing loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Williams was busy making a game-winning play for his new team.
Only five days after being traded from New York to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the 30-year-old wide receiver enjoyed a triumphant debut in Black & Yellow. Despite little to no acclimation period, Williams played nine snaps while subbing in for Calvin Austin during a Week 10 road win.
Whether or not they had a choice, the Steelers trusted Williams enough to deploy the tall boundary receiver in crunch time. With Pittsburgh facing a 27-21 deficit, needing to convert a 3rd-and-9, and only 2:27 remaining on the clock, Williams delivered.
Williams beat the defense deep down the left sideline and Wilson dropped in a beautifully catchable ball. The former Top 10 draft pick introduced himself to Steelers’ fans by hauling in the 32-yard TD pass. The ensuing PAT gave Pittsburgh a 28-27 lead that it would not relinquish.
Steelers’ running back Najee Harris, who rushed for 53 yards and one touchdown, lauded Williams for his clutch play while addressing reporters.
“For him to come in there, and make probably the biggest play of the game and help us win, just shows you what type of player he is,” said Harris. “He’s a playmaker. He’s a baller. He’s been doing that all of his career.”
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Williams, a 2017 first-round selection, has two 1,000-yard receiving seasons to his credit and averages 15.5 yards per reception. He heroically caught his lone target on Sunday against Washington.
“I was just thankful for the opportunity,” said Williams, who did not catch a touchdown in nine games with the Jets.
New York targeted Williams only 21 times on pass attempts as a rapport between the receiver and quarterback Aaron Rodgers never visibly materialized. The veteran made 12 catches for 166 yards after signing a one-year, $10 million contract this past offseason.
© Geoff Burke
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