The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense isn’t particularly productive, but that doesn’t matter when you consider that their defense doesn’t allow much.
The Steelers won in Week 1 without scoring a touchdown and then won by just one touchdown on Sunday. Despite some issues on offense, the Steelers are 2-0 with two road wins, largely because the defense once again looked great in a 13-6 win over the Denver Broncos.
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. The Steelers may have only one offensive touchdown, but they’ve only allowed one touchdown. And 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 up front. They ran a flea flicker, Nix had Josh Reynolds deep behind and even though he was late in getting 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. That was the day for the Broncos offense. The Falcons from Week 1 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 Falcons scored 10 points and lost 18-10, the Steelers simply had to control the clock, not blow it, and score enough points to keep the opponent from ever winning the game.
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. Head coach Mike Tomlin said last week 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.
Things are going well in Pittsburgh right now. The Steelers are undefeated thanks to a really good defense that puts pressure on 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.
