There was immense strain on Justin Fields coming 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 sphere. It was going to take a not only a win, however a convincing effort to stave off any strain.
Fields did simply that and extra, proving he’s not simply the appropriate man for the job now, however the way forward for the Steelers at quarterback transferring ahead.
It’s unattainable to understate what Fields has meant to the offense in Pittsburgh. He’s unquestionably one of many staff’s most vital gamers by a big margin, and whereas a part of that is because of a collection 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 should you have a look at Fields’ passing numbers in isolation it’s a fairly ugly image. On Sunday he completed finishing 58.3 % of his passes, didn’t rating a landing, and had a below-average 6.0 yards-per-attempt. Nonetheless, once you dig deeper you see absolutely the ludicrous worth of what Fields is bringing to the Steelers. I promise should 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 tendencies within the league. Once 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 Price: 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 Prime 15 quarterback — and that is occurring regardless of a lot going in opposition to him.
The Steelers nonetheless lack considerable weapons exterior 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 strain on the quarterback in a run-first Arthur Smith system.
What we basically have is a situation the place plenty of playing cards are being stacked in opposition to Fields, however he’s flourishing. If we take away the superior analytics from the situation and concentrate on 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 ranking
155 carries, 655 yards, 14 TD
This could be a phenomenal season, particularly with a profitable document and a playoff berth. These numbers are on par with a stable Lamar Jackson or Cam Newton season. Not their MVP years after all, however a regular center 12 months — for a quarterback the Steelers obtained for a music, and who’s 25-years-old.
So, once I see Steelers followers suggesting the staff has to make the change to Russ, or that Fields has one way or the other been disappointing, nicely … that’s merely a case of probably not realizing how one can watch soccer, or seeing how performances match collectively within the tapestry of a season. There isn’t any doubt that proper now we’re nonetheless seeing quarterbacks across the league wrestle to take care of 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 after we think about the truth that the Steelers are a very iffy offensive staff that must hold 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 the most effective 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 staff has two extra video games earlier than the bye week in opposition to the Jets and Giants, which they need to be capable to win. After that they’ve a break, and it’s right here the staff may 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 staff is for actual.
Winner: Caleb Williams
From the previous Bears’ QB to the present, there’s one thing stunning about every little thing 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 large factor that has taken a soar in Williams recreation. He’s anticipating strain higher and studying how one can manipulate the cross rush post-snap together 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 remains to be missing the flexibility to interrupt explosive performs to his huge receivers frequently, however that is actually nitpicking when the staff 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 price discussing every little thing that went fallacious for the Cowboys on Sunday.
Sure, Detroit is nice however the blowout is inexcusable for a staff with the expertise and roster Dallas has. Simply a humiliation, and it’s time for heads to roll with the intention 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 unbelievable future in Washington.
It’s unattainable to name both of those groups a “loser,” as a result of, nicely … the Raven gained, but additionally as a result of Washington proved they’ll cling with the most effective within the league and problem them. It’s unclear whether or not the Commanders can sustain their tear in 2024, however no staff has a greater future proper now, exterior of maybe the Bears.
Loser: Deshaun Watson
Yeah, he’s nonetheless a loser. Oh, he’s additionally horrible at soccer too.
