PITTSBURGH – Russell Wilson grinned as he sat at the podium after the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 26-18 win over the New York Giants and considered how to describe the difference between his first and second appearances as a Steeler.

“I felt more fluid,” the quarterback said, settling on a description. “I’ve never missed a game in my life, and you miss five, six games and you’re like, ‘Okay, all right, you’ve got to find your rhythm.’ … Sometimes it’s not easy to play on every possession, especially when you’re playing against good teams, and that’s why I think the most important thing is the reaction.”

With 278 yards and a touchdown while completing 20 of 28 attempts Monday night, Wilson set a franchise record for most passing yards by a Steeler in his first two games with the organization (542), surpassing 504 yards, according to ESPN by Earl Morrall from 1957 research.

“I just thought he didn’t have to get involved in it,” coach Mike Tomlin said of Wilson’s second outing. “A little less rust than the week before, but his abilities don’t surprise me.”

Wilson and the offense moved the ball almost seamlessly on their first three possessions, but each time the drive ended in a field goal. Two would-be touchdown throws to George Pickens were rejected and another drive failed after consecutive gains of more than 20 yards. Wilson lamented the Pickens’ two recalled touchdowns, including the second in which the receiver brought his right foot to the ground twice, but because his left foot missed after the catch, it was ruled incomplete.

“It’s an interesting rule,” Wilson said. “It’s like we obviously thought maybe he dragged his toe, maybe he got it down. We bring the same foot down twice, and it’s clear, once and then another, No. 2, it’s almost like getting a knee down,” and it counts as a touchdown. And getting two rights (feet) should probably count. But I don’t know.

“…George had a great game. I know he obviously wants those two touchdowns. We all want them – that would have ended the game for us early on.”

Although his first two TD throws were returned, Wilson eventually found wide receiver Calvin Austin III for a 29-yard fourth-quarter touchdown, marking Austin’s second score of the day after a third-quarter punt return to the house. Wilson’s touchdown against Austin had just a 28.2% completion probability, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, putting the quarterback at 12 total touchdowns with a completion probability of less than 30% that leads the league since the start of last season.

“He’s always talking to us, always looking for that big play, that check, that signal, that route, that look, whatever,” Austin said. “He’s always looking for the big game.”

Thanks in large part to Wilson and a tireless running game bolstered by Najee Harris and his three consecutive 100-yard performances, the Steelers managed to record at least 400 yards of offense in consecutive weeks for the first time since the 2018 season, according to ESPN Research .

But Wilson warned that the Steelers can’t become complacent as they enter Week 9 atop the AFC North with a 6-2 record, the team’s best start since an 8-0 mark in 2020.

“We have a lot of confidence,” Wilson said. “We haven’t done anything yet. We’re obviously 6-2 here, which is a great thing, but it doesn’t mean anything. It means nothing. When we look back on everything, we will have to make sure that we focus on the next task, which is really taking care of our bodies and our minds, enjoying it all with the family during this farewell week, and so on.

“Because we have an upswing ahead of us that we have to get going and there are still many great games ahead of us that we won’t shy away from.”