From the press room: Steelers vs. Giants

Control your work ethic: Coach Mike Tomlin probably expressed Russell Wilson best after the Steelers' win over the New York Giants on Monday night.

“I just thought he didn’t have to warm up to it,” Tomlin said.

Wilson had a strong performance against the Giants, although things may have looked different when he had to settle for field goals early. Wilson had a touchdown pass to George Pickens on the first drive that was negated by a penalty, while another touchdown was reversed because Pickens failed to get both feet on the ground.

Wilson showed no signs of rust and was fully back after suffering a calf injury early in the season.

“I felt more fluid,” Wilson said. “I haven't really missed many games in my life. You miss five or six games, you have to find your rhythm.”

“The last game, the first game (I played), I felt like we had a great rhythm on the first drive. On the second drive we had a few things. On the third and fourth drive, ugh. Sometimes that's just awesome. It's not all easy.” Possession of the ball, especially when playing against good teams.

“You just react. I think the most important thing is just the reaction. An unwavering belief in each other, an unwavering faith and understanding that this game is a process, every drive tells a story, every game tells a different story.”

“You have to be able to adapt, move and react. I think that's the part of these types of games. As the season progresses, every game will continue to be a heavyweight battle.” The thing about heavyweight fights is that sometimes you get punched in the face, sometimes you have to get back up and react.

“I think that's going to be the key as we move forward, keep your head up, keep your head up, keep going, keep making plays, believe in the next play, the next play will be the best play. Understand that you can't do it high, too low, stay neutral and trust everything.

“I think that was really crucial for me, especially in this game. We were all in control of what we see, what we do, and how we proceed. I thought Arthur (Smith) called. “Great game. I wish we had gotten those two touchdowns back.

“We have great confidence in our team and in what we do.”

That confidence showed in the way Wilson distributed the ball, starting on the first drive when he hit four different receivers and both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren carried the ball.

“I think the versatility of our guys, how they open up, how they work, was clearly shown tonight,” Wilson said. “I thought the running backs did a really good job running the ball. The offensive line did a great job. That’s a really good defensive line they have.”

“It was a complete team effort. That was fun.”

Two receivers who stepped up for a unit looking for just that were Calvin Austin III and Van Jefferson. While George Pickens had a normal George Pickens night, making fantastic catches and whatnot, Austin had three receptions for 54 yards and a 29-yard touchdown, while Jefferson had four receptions for 62 yards.

“I’m not surprised,” Wilson said. “They do it every day in practice. Their work ethic, they've been doing it since the summer, the offseason, the spring. All the work we were able to do together in San Diego in the offseason, all of that.”

“I know who they are. They are competitors, playmakers. Van's catch on the sideline was incredible. To give him a chance down there. Calvin made some great plays, the touchdown. GP, he really had a great, great evening. He had two touchdowns. Unfortunately, he was also special tonight.

“I think it’s the work ethic, the work ethic of these guys. They put in all their work every day. It's no surprise when she shows up on the field. I think that’s the key factor.”

Austin said after the game that some of the success they had was due to the receivers' work with Wilson after practice, which the quarterback really enjoys.

“I think the extra work before practice is the extra work after practice,” Wilson said. “We have great football players. We believe in the guys we have. We have some special guys. Her work ethic is truly remarkable.”

“To be honest, it’s fun to play quarterback here and be around great guys who love the game of football. “Obviously George is a great football player, who he is, what he brings to the table.” Calvin, you have to see who he is, what he means to this football team, the star he will be and already is. The punt return he had, those are things that are special plays.

“Van Jefferson, he’s a guy that I watched in his college days, his college highlights and everything else. Apparently he went to the Rams. I had to watch him make his moves there. To have him on our team.”, his family also means a lot to me as I look out for his work ethic every day.

“It just makes the game fun when you're around great guys. The meeting is great. Guys are convinced. We try hard every day.”

“The only thing you can control is your work ethic. You can really control that part of it. Then it shows in the game. When you're able to make plays like that, it's no surprise that hard work pays off.”