LANDOVER, MD (93.7 The Fan) – It was the only time Mike Williams has ever run that route with Russell Wilson. They never once practiced it, yet with 2:27 to play in the game and down six, it was Mike Williams catching the 32-yard pass from Russell Wilson over-the-shoulder, diving into the end zone as the Steelers come back to win 28-27.
Williams said he talked to Russell Wilson leading up to that series while on the sidelines. He said Wilson told him ‘I want you to run this route’. It was only due to an injury to receiver Calvin Austin that Williams was even in that position.
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“Calvin went out, he was running that route all week,” Williams said. “He actually ran it early in the game. It was for him and he was out. I went in there and made a play.”
“You got to love clutch moments,” Wilson said. “It was a big-time catch by Mike. I just tried to give him a chance and let him do this thing.”
Wilson said Williams had a great week of practice, not just on the field, but in film work. They got three full workouts together where Williams had to learn the offense, the other receivers and his quarterback. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Williams was a quick study this week. The 30-year-old receiver said he believes that touchdown shows the good week of preparation.
“I was up there catching good, running some good routes and showing what I’m able to do,” Williams said. “I got the opportunity to close the game and did it.”
"He's a baller," said tailback Najee Harris. "For him to come in there and make probably the biggest play of the game and help us win. It shows what type of player he is."
“It’s great, he made a big-time play,” said receiver George Pickens, who said he told Williams before the play to stay in it. They will be looking for a play from a player like him. Pickens added Williams showed he’s still a great receiver from Clemson.
“I just wanted to go out and be myself,” Williams said. “That’s the main thing. Don’t overdue things. Don’t go out there and press, press, press. Whenever the ball came out, make a play. It came to me one time and it was one of the biggest plays of the game. For me, come out every day, work hard and be great.”
It was also a pretty big-time throw with a defender closing in on a one-time Badger in Wilson.
“I’ve seen it (those throws) a few times in highlight shows, it’s a little better in person,” Tomlin said.