Some in Pittsburgh may not want you to know how well Justin Fields is playing. The cat’s going to be out of the bag soon enough, if it’s not already following the Steelers’ 13-6 win at Denver on Sunday.
Make no mistake. The Steelers have probably the clearest identity of any NFL team. They win with their defense and they’re not trying to reinvent Terry Bradshaw, Lynn Swann and John Stallworth.
But the final gamebooks from their first two wins don’t do justice for the fact that Fields (30-for-43, 273 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions, 94.4 rating and rushing yards on 22 attempts in two starts) has done exactly what Pittsburgh wants him to do: Move the ball, control the clock and don’t commit turnovers.
“He’s played smart situational football, he’s executed the plan his coaches have laid out and even as he’s desperate to win this job, he hasn’t gotten greedy,” said analyst and sideline reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala, who covered Sunday’s game for CBS. “He showed calming leadership on the sideline and Mike Tomlin told us not only does he love Fields’ demeanor, but that he is ‘a dangerous, dangerous athlete.’”
Tomlin could go with a healthy Russell Wilson (calf) when Pittsburgh hosts the Los Angeles Chargers (2-0) on Sunday. Or, he could stick with Fields.
Considering Fields became the team’s starter just days prior to their first game, he’s actually made some impressive plays.
Take for example Fields’ second-quarter pass to George Pickens on Sunday. Facing second and 18, Fields rolled out to his right, escaped a speedy Jonathon Cooper hot on his trail, and hit Pickens deep down the sideline. Firing the ball 49 yards in the air, Fields threaded a tight window despite blanket coverage from All-Pro Pat Surtain, who earlier this month signed a contract extension to briefly make him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history.
However, a Broderick Jones holding penalty wiped out the 51-yard play, which would’ve given the Steelers first and goal at the Denver 6-yard line.
Another Steelers penalty, offensive pass interference on Van Jefferson, nullified Fields’ 6-yard touchdown pass to Pickens late in the first half.
What’s also not in the boxscores are interceptions or fumbles. Fields has none.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s defense has allowed 8.0 points per game and leads the NFL in third-down percentage (19.05, 4-for-21).
But the Steelers also have just one touchdown over their first 21 offensive possessions. As Kinkhabwala said, Tomlin has an interesting decision this week.