There was immense stress on Justin Fields getting into Sunday vs. Las Vegas. Again-to-back losses converged with Russell Wilson getting wholesome, inflicting rumblings of a quarterback change in Pittsburgh. It was nonetheless Fields’ job to lose, at the least for the second — however there’s little doubt he was strolling a tightrope to remain on the sector. It was going to take a not only a win, however a convincing effort to stave off any stress.
Fields did simply that and extra, proving he’s not simply the precise man for the job now, however the way forward for the Steelers at quarterback transferring ahead.
It’s inconceivable to understate what Fields has meant to the offense in Pittsburgh. He’s unquestionably one of many crew’s most essential gamers by a big margin, and whereas a part of that is because of a set of sub-par weapons in Pittsburgh, there’s additionally a actuality the place Fields is being immensely underrated by Steelers followers, and past.
There’s no query in case you take a look at Fields’ passing numbers in isolation it’s a reasonably ugly image. On Sunday he completed finishing 58.3 p.c of his passes, didn’t rating a landing, and had a below-average 6.0 yards-per-attempt. Nevertheless, once you dig deeper you see absolutely the ludicrous worth of what Fields is bringing to the Steelers. I promise in case you’ve been down on Justin Fields you’re about to see himin a unique mild.
Each fanbase tends to take a look at their very own quarterback in isolation with out understanding the higher traits within the league. After we break down Fields as a passer in comparison with his friends he’s enjoying extremely good soccer.
- Anticipated Factors Added (EPA) per play: 0.101 — fifteenth within the NFL, larger than Patrick Mahomes (0.094)
- Completion % Above Anticipated (CPOE): 2.5 — twelfth within the NFL, larger than C.J. Stroud (2.1)
- Success Fee: 46.3% — 14th within the NFL, tied with Jordan Love
This isn’t a case the place one superior metric helps that Fields is enjoying high-level soccer, it’s that all of them help the truth that Fields is enjoying like a High 15 quarterback — and that is taking place despite a lot going towards him.
The Steelers nonetheless lack considerable weapons outdoors of George Pickens. The offense being run by Arthur Smith actually isn’t showcasing Fields’ skills, and he’s basically operating a system constructed for Russell Wilson. Najee Harris has been inconsistent, resulting in much more stress on the quarterback in a run-first Arthur Smith system.
What we basically have is a state of affairs the place lots of playing cards are being stacked towards Fields, however he’s flourishing. If we take away the superior analytics from the state of affairs and deal with pure stats it’s unquestionable that Fields is having an elite season at quarterback. Because it stands these are his projected stats for 2024:
300-for-453 (66.2%), 3,134 yards, 14 TD, 3 INT — 93.6 passer score
155 carries, 655 yards, 14 TD
This is able to be a phenomenal season, particularly with a profitable file and a playoff berth. These numbers are on par with a stable Lamar Jackson or Cam Newton season. Not their MVP years in fact, however an ordinary center 12 months — for a quarterback the Steelers received for a tune, and who’s 25-years-old.
So, once I see Steelers followers suggesting the crew has to make the swap to Russ, or that Fields has someway been disappointing, nicely … that’s merely a case of probably not figuring out find out how to watch soccer, or seeing how performances match collectively within the tapestry of a season. There isn’t a doubt that proper now we’re nonetheless seeing quarterbacks across the league wrestle to cope with defensive shifts. Passing is down, turnovers are up, and quarterback efficiency is faltering consequently. So, to have anybody acting at a stable degree places you a step forward, and once we think about the truth that the Steelers are a very iffy offensive crew that must preserve constructing that facet of the ball, nicely, it’s a rattling good place to be in.
It doesn’t matter that the unique plan was to make use of Russ and run a conservative offense in 2024, as a result of plans change and one of the best groups can roll with the punches. Pittsburgh has discovered itself with a dynamic quarterback who’s able to doing a lot extra than simply managing the sport. The crew has two extra video games earlier than the bye week towards the Jets and Giants, which they need to have the ability to win. After that they’ve a break, and it’s right here the crew might rework its offense to combine extra designed performs for Fields.
If the Steelers can do that then the sky is the restrict, as a result of this crew is for actual.
Winner: Caleb Williams
From the previous Bears’ QB to the present, there’s one thing lovely about every part figuring out. Williams has been on a tear the final two weeks, and whereas it’s a pleasant profit once you’ve confronted two of the worst groups within the NFL (Panthers and Jaguars), there’s nonetheless no denying that Williams is discovering his footing.
Accuracy is the massive factor that has taken a leap in Williams recreation. He’s anticipating stress higher and studying find out how to manipulate the cross rush post-snap along with his imaginative and prescient and pocket motion. This has resulted in an enormous leap to his passing, and Chicago are having success.
This doesn’t imply it’s all a completed product. Williams continues to be missing the power to interrupt explosive performs to his huge receivers frequently, however that is actually nitpicking when the crew is profitable.
Loser: Cowboys
What’s left to say right here? Dallas’ season goes down the bathroom, they usually introduced this on themselves. It’s not even value discussing every part that went flawed for the Cowboys on Sunday.
Sure, Detroit is nice however the blowout is inexcusable for a crew with the expertise and roster Dallas has. Simply a humiliation, and it’s time for heads to roll as a way to usher in a brand new period.
Winner: The Commanders and Ravens
One of many video games of the week actually didn’t disappoint. This was a fun-ass recreation from starting to finish, showcasing the present potential of Baltimore and the unimaginable future in Washington.
It’s inconceivable to name both of those groups a “loser,” as a result of, nicely … the Raven received, but in addition as a result of Washington proved they will dangle with one of the best within the league and problem them. It’s unclear whether or not the Commanders can sustain their tear in 2024, however no crew has a greater future proper now, outdoors of maybe the Bears.
Loser: Deshaun Watson
Yeah, he’s nonetheless a loser. Oh, he’s additionally horrible at soccer too.
