Mike Tomlin vindicated after Russell Wilson secures starting job in Steelers debut 

One of the most polarizing decisions across the NFL throughout the past week was Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin deciding to bench Justin Fields in favor of veteran quarterback Russell Wilson. Steelers fans were split on if they felt the change was warranted, due to going 4-2 with Fields. 

But after watching Wilson hit a groove and lead Pittsburgh to a 37-15 "Sunday Night Football" win over the Jets, Tomlin likely feels vindicated. 

Since winning wasn't enough for Fields to stay under center, Wilson needed to impress individually in addition to getting the win. And while he endured a bit of a rocky start to the game, Wilson was eventually able to find a rhythm with the offense and show Tomlin exactly what he wanted to see. 

Wilson completed 16-of-29 passes while throwing for 264 yards and a pair of touchdown passes. He even ran in for a score on the ground, too. But beyond just the numbers, Wilson showed an instant chemistry with Pittsburgh's top weapons wide receiver George Pickens and tight end Pat Freiermuth. 

Pickens enjoyed nine targets, making five receptions for 111 yards and a score. Freiermuth made two catches for 51 yards. 

Wilson also managed to air it out and provide the offense with big plays, highlighted by a 44-yarder to Pickens, a perfect pass to Freiermuth that ended up going to 30 yards and a completion to Calvin Austin III for 36 yards. Gaining large chunks of yards on a single play is something the Steelers' were struggling to materialize with Fields. 

It's clear Wilson is confident that the best of him in a Steelers uniform is yet to come. 

"Sometimes it takes that first home run, double off the wall, whatever it may be. Obviously, it's October, so I'm talking baseball," said Wilson to Alan Saunders of Steelers Now after the game. 

To find further proof that Tomlin is satisfied with Wilson, he referred to his performance as "excellent" when asked for his instant evaluation during his postgame press conference. 

While Wilson wasn't perfect, the Steelers put their highest point total in a game on the scoreboard and he threw for the most yards by a Pittsburgh quarterback in a debut. All in all, that adds up to Tomlin staying the course with the nine-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion as his new starting quarterback. 

Wilson and the Steelers will be back on primetime next week when they meet the New York Giants on "Monday Night Football." This will offer Wilson another opportunity to show what he can do at home against a struggling opponent on a national stage.