DENVER – In the visitors’ locker room at Mile High Stadium’s Empower Field, the Steelers celebrated their 13-6 victory over the Broncos on Sunday when it was time to hand out the game balls.
Well, not just any play balls. As Justin Fields called them: “little” play balls.
Punter Corliss Waitman got one after being traded to the Steelers this week. Former Bronco and current Steelers practice squad receiver Brandon Johnson got the second. And the third? That one, of course, went to quarterback Russell Wilson.
“I think we all know Russ got treated pretty badly last year,” Fields said. “I know he wishes he could have played in this game today. It’s great to get him this win.”
When NFL scriptwriters came up with this game in Week 2, it was billed as Wilson’s return and (possibly) his chance to get some revenge on a team that benched him and ultimately ran him out of town. But a calf injury sidelined Wilson for a second straight week and prevented him from playing against a team that pays nearly $38 million of his salary. Instead, the game turned into another opportunity for Fields to prove he can be the Steelers’ long-term starter.
The results were mixed.
yesssss, sir 🫡#EasyToCelebrate | @Budlight pic.twitter.com/ltrxV8neH7
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) 15 September 2024
In the first half, Fields ran the game well, completing 10 of 12 passes for 101 yards and scoring a touchdown. His electrifying agility was evident again as he added 26 yards on the ground. But the bigger development was Fields’ ability to attack through the air. He threw with anticipation in several instances and had excellent ball placement in several others.
The Steelers’ second series of the game was in many ways a blueprint for how the offense wants to operate this season. The 12-play, 78-yard run took 7:34 minutes, with Harris and Warren gaining yards on the ground. Fields contributed a couple of key runs. The tight ends got involved, with Pat Freiermuth making a nice catch down the sideline that put the Steelers in a goal-to-go situation. And, most importantly, the series ended in the end zone, with tight end Darnell Washington scoring his first NFL touchdown.
Washington saluted the crowd after the touchdown, a promise he made to his brother Ezekiel, who is in the Marines.
“It was definitely an incredible feeling,” said Washington. “The first time in my career. Words can’t really describe it.”
Darnell Washington said the salute was in honor of his brother Ezekiel, who is in the Marines. https://t.co/8BLpJiF4Ps pic.twitter.com/vzWPCjx08Z
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) 16 September 2024
Unfortunately, this good mood did not last long for the Steelers. Much of the momentum the Steelers had built up on offense was wiped out by self-inflicted setbacks.
This was especially true for the following trip. While the second trip provided a recipe for success, the third trip was a microcosm of the problems.
Rookie Troy Fautanu made his first NFL appearance at right tackle. He was scheduled to rotate with last year’s first-round pick Broderick Jones. Jones’ only series, however, ended in absolute disaster. He was penalized three times during the series, first for offsides, then twice for holding. The second holding negated arguably Fields’ best pass of the game, when he threw to George Pickens on the run and into a tight window. The Steelers were ultimately forced to punt.
“Defenders mess up. Referees throw flags. That’s it,” Jones said. “There’s really not much you can do about it. Just keep the next play mentality and keep going. … You don’t want it to repeat itself. You just have to keep trying to wash it away and then get back to your A game.”
Broderick Jones on his penalties: “Defenders fail. Referees throw flags. That’s it.” pic.twitter.com/SBFlDo3K86
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) 16 September 2024
There was no next play for Jones as he was taken out of the game midway through the series. The young tackle said he didn’t need coach Mike Tomlin to scold him because “I scold myself.”
As the game went on, penalties became a constant problem, holding the Steelers back while they tried to find a rhythm. On the following series, Fields drove Pittsburgh into the red zone again. At first it looked like he had found Pickens for a touchdown. However, Van Jefferson was penalized for offensive pass interference on a play the referees interpreted as an intentional pick. The Steelers settled for a field goal.
“When I ran my route, he ran into me,” Jefferson said. “But they called what they called. … I came in and I was like, ‘My bad (Pickens). I didn’t try that.’ That’s my guy. I want him to score touchdowns like he wants me to score touchdowns.”
The Steelers got 10 times for 78 yards. In the second half, that was one of the reasons Pittsburgh had trouble sustaining offense and getting into the end zone. But that wasn’t the only problem. The Steelers had the ball seven times in the second half. Three of those series ended in three-and-outs. They only got three first downs and 62 yards on offense in the second half.
“I think the biggest problem has been the penalties,” Field said. “Just having those explosive plays and having them nullified by penalties. We talked about how to stop those last week. We just have to keep working on that and stop those so we don’t hurt ourselves anymore.”
GO DEEPER
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While the Steelers were unable to win the game on offense, the defense rose to the occasion. Pittsburgh’s defensive front limited the Broncos to 64 rushing yards on 19 carries, many of them by Bo Nix. This forced Denver to become somewhat one-dimensional, allowing the Steelers’ pass rush to impact the game.
The Broncos’ offense never really looked threatening. Even one of Denver’s most productive attacks of the day ended with a highlight for the Steelers when second-year cornerback Cory Trice intercepted a pass from Nix in the end zone. A second interception in the final seconds, this time by safety Damontae Kazee, decided the game for good.
“We have an experienced group,” Tomlin said. “To be honest, we have a lot of talent there. I expect that. It’s appreciated. But I certainly expect it. They have to be a catalyst for us. They know it.”
Overall, this was another Steelers win that followed the same script this team has used to win games for years. The defense played up to its high salary cap and made life difficult for a rookie quarterback, and the offense did just enough to come away with a win.
Fields himself has made progress as he has created more opportunities. He continues to develop remarkable chemistry with Pickens. He also appears to be more confident in himself to attack further back and make more anticipatory throws. He played better than his statistics suggest – 13 for 20 and 117 yards – and did not lose the ball for the second straight game.
While it’s obvious to everyone involved that Wilson’s injury has created an opportunity – potentially a long-term one – for Fields, the former Bears QB said this week that’s not what he’s focused on.
“I have a job and that is to lead us to victory every week,” Fields said Thursday. “We can discuss who is the starter and who isn’t. My main job is to go in there and win the game. As long as I can do that, I feel good.”
Still, Tomlin will have to decide at some point whether Fields has done enough to continue to lead the team. For now, Wilson’s injury status will remain the most important factor in that discussion. Consider that when Wilson first injured his calf in the preseason, he didn’t play in a game for three and a half weeks and even then admitted his calf wasn’t quite right.
While Fields hasn’t yet wrestled the starting job from Wilson—and that’s hard to say after leading just one touchdown drive in two games—he should get more opportunities to showcase his abilities.
“I think every day I learn more about him,” Tomlin said. “I just believe there’s no substitute for a relationship. You go through things together, learn about yourself and each other. It’s been a good process. I’m excited for it to continue.”
Only time will tell how long Fields will continue as a starter.
(Photo by Justin Fields: Kevin Langley / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
