The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense isn’t particularly productive, but that doesn’t matter much when the defense isn’t allowing anything at all.
The Steelers won Week 1 without scoring a touchdown and then won Week 2 while scoring just one touchdown. Despite some offensive issues, the Steelers are 2-0 with two road wins, largely due to the defense looking great once again.
The Steelers beat the Broncos’ rookie quarterback, Bo Nix, to the ground. TJ Watt had another fantastic game and everyone else did their part. The Broncos were held to three points for 58 minutes, scored a field goal in the final two minutes, but couldn’t score a miracle touchdown in the final seconds and the Steelers won 13-6. The Steelers may have only scored one touchdown on offense, but they also only allowed one. That was six quarters ago.
Justin Fields started twice and has done enough to make it unlikely he’ll be replaced by Russell Wilson anytime soon. Maybe that’s the best thing that can be said about the Steelers’ offense, but 2-0 is 2-0.
Steelers defense dominates
The Steelers were so dominant on defense that the Broncos felt they had to use a trick to get something going on the field. They ran a flea flicker, Nix had Josh Reynolds deep behind and although he was late in passing the ball to him, Reynolds caught the ball on a 49-yard leap. The Broncos were finally in business.
Two plays later, Nix threw an interception into the end zone. Steelers cornerback Cory Trice Jr. baited the rookie quarterback, who thought he had Courtland Sutton free in the back of the end zone. Trice slid over and easily intercepted Nix’s sidearm pass into the end zone. That was the day for the Broncos offense. The Falcons’ Week 1 offense can relate.
At some point early in the game, the Steelers offense had to realize that their biggest job was not to mess up. Like last week when the Atlanta Falcons scored 10 points and lost 18-10, the Steelers just had to control the clock a little, not let it go, and score just enough so the game was never really within reach of the opponent.
It’s not the prettiest formula, but it worked twice.
Justin Fields is doing enough again
Wilson’s calf injury before Week 1 allowed Fields to start in Week 1. The preseason competition between Wilson and Fields was close and the Steelers won the opening game with Fields playing a decent game, so Pittsburgh apparently wasn’t considering a move. Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Fields would be the starter.
There’s no reason to make a change after a 2-0 start. Fields didn’t get much done, but he was again somewhat passable.
At some point, the Steelers will play someone tougher than a rusty Kirk Cousins or an overwhelmed rookie like Nix, and then the offense will have to do more than just not mess up. That’s when Fields will be tested, and if it doesn’t go well, maybe some big changes will be considered.
But right now, all is well in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are undefeated thanks to a really good defense that attacks the quarterback like no other team. There is still a long way to go, but so far Tomlin seems to be working his magic again after winning two games by just one touchdown.
