Coach Mike Tomlin’s offseason remedy of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback scenario recommended the randomness of a roulette wheel.
Spherical and around the outcast veteran ball goes; the place it stops, no one is aware of.
Steelers followers who had Justin Fields because the uninterrupted, season-long starter getting into a Week 6 go to to Las Vegas ought to declare their winnings on the betting web site or window in the event that they haven’t already.
Those that wagered on Fields fending off Russell Wilson for longer might have to carry their breaths with Wilson now lively. However actually, Tomlin ought to maintain rolling with Fields and his sizzling—or at the very least tepid—hand. He’s the higher long-term resolution than a rusty Wilson.
A calf damage in preseason slowed Wilson, to make certain, affording extra alternatives and reps to Fields in a QB race for which Tomlin first stated Wilson had “pole place.” Though it appeared Wilson had totally recovered by the top of camp, he reaggravated the damage days forward of the season opener at Atlanta.
In stepped Fields, who steered an environment friendly assault to guide Pittsburgh to victory in his house state. He accomplished 73.9 p.c of his passes for 156 yards and added 57 extra yards on the bottom.
Pittsburgh received in Denver the next week and dispatched of the visiting Los Angeles Chargers the following, with Fields passing for touchdowns in each video games. He added a dashing TD in opposition to the Chargers.
The Steelers enter Sunday on a two-game shedding streak, and sure, Fields performed sloppily of their most up-to-date defeat.
His 15-for-27 effort in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys was his lowest completion charge of the season. Fields handed for 131 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-17 house loss because the offense gained simply 226 yards, even with Dallas with out injured defenders DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons.
“I believe the recurring factor is simply taking pictures ourselves within the foot,” Fields stated. “Penalties, false begins. It’s simply coming all the way down to execution.”
Pittsburgh’s dependability on protection has helped the ‘O’ purchase time. The unit yields the third-fewest factors (14.6) and eighth-fewest yards (298.0) per recreation within the NFL.
Tomlin has stated this week he prefers to not deal in hypotheticals, however right here’s an simple one: Pittsburgh figured to be a ‘D’-first operation this season irrespective of who was beneath heart.
Has Fields been dazzling? Removed from it. However he’s proven his mobility to maintain performs alive and been adequate to maintain the Steelers aggressive, their losses coming by a mixed six factors because the staff’s outlook traits upward.
Working again Jaylen Warren (knee), who missed the previous two video games, was faraway from Pittsburgh’s damage report Saturday. The Steelers additionally count on to bolster their depth at broad receiver, with third-round draft decide Roman Wilson set to make his debut after struggling a sprained ankle early in coaching camp.
The steady of offensive stars Fields has at his disposal in Pittsburgh won’t rival what the Chicago entrance workplace acquired after his departure from the Bears. Nonetheless, even with Wilson now trying over his shoulder greater than ever, Fields actually hasn’t performed his manner out of the beginning job.
After the go to to Vegas, winnable prime-time house video games in opposition to the New York Jets and Giants, respectively, await. Then there’s a bye.
Pittsburgh received’t face a fellow NFC North foe till the Baltimore Ravens come to city in Week 11.
Fields fairly can maintain the staff within the division race forward of that conflict with out Steelers followers blowing on cube.