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Steelers trail 3-0 on big day for Justin Fields


Steelers trail 3-0 on big day for Justin Fields

Going into Sunday’s game, it didn’t look like it was going to be the Steelers’ best offensive day of the season, but that’s exactly what happened in Pittsburgh.

Justin Fields ran for a touchdown and threw for another while rushing for 245 yards in a 20-10 win over the Chargers. With the win, the Steelers are now 3-0, and Fields’ performance makes it hard to imagine the team voluntarily changing its quarterback anytime soon.

Fields threw for just 273 yards in his first two starts this season and the Steelers completed three passes on each of their first two drives and were eliminated, but on Sunday he completed his first 12 passes and his second-quarter touchdown run tied the game. Fields then led two field-goal drives in the third quarter — he also had a deflected pass intercepted — and then connected with wide receiver Calvin Austin for a 55-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

That secured the final victory, but when Justin Herbert was knocked out in the third quarter, it felt like the game was over. Herbert had an ankle injury earlier in the game and aggravated it with a sack from Elandon Roberts. Taylor Heinicke was sacked three times after entering the game and the Chargers had little hope of recovering after their quarterback left the game.

In addition, Los Angeles lost left tackle Rashawn Slater, right tackle Joe Alt and edge rusher Joey Bosa due to injury, so the list of concerns for the game against the Chiefs in week four is long.

Austin tied a career-high with 95 receiving yards and George Pickens caught five balls for 57 yards. Najee Harris and Cordarrelle Patterson combined for 103 rushing yards, including several big runs to run down the clock late in the fourth quarter. The final result was 346 offensive yards for a Steelers team that will now face the Colts looking to remain undefeated.

Russell Wilson’s health will be updated before that game, but Fields’ play and the team’s record should ensure that the status quo remains regardless of what happens with his calf.

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