Steelers need more down-Fields

The Steelers are 2-0 right now and sit atop the AFC North. 

The Browns are 1-1, and the Ravens and Bengals, who are supposed to be the teams to beat, are 0-2. 

Today, I should be waving my terrible towel, thanking Myron Cope for this unexpected fortune, but I am having trouble being excited. I keep asking myself why, and much like my college economics professor whose class I couldn't stand, I'm going to try and answer my own question.

I have wanted Justin Fields in the black and gold since rumors started surfacing towards the end of last season. I think there is so much untapped potential that the Chicago Bears wasted, something they seem to still be doing over in Chi Town. I don't wanna take up too much time talking shit on the Bears, but I do find it interesting that the number one overall pick Caleb Williams has no TD's, 2 INT's, and under 300 pass yards in each of his first two games. 

Don't get me wrong the freshman QB class isn't really eye popping right no. Jayden Daniels, in my opinion, is the only one standing out, and that may be from a pure fantasy standpoint. 

But I digress, back to Justin Fields. 

I will say that watching the game yesterday, my mother in law and I were both complaining a lot less about the actual play of the Steelers offense and more so about penalties. There was an air of confidence in the room that hadn't been there for some time. It felt good. The avoidable penalties are completely throwing off the game though. I know the media has addressed the Broderick Jones issue ad nauseum already, which did take away from one of the Steelers most impressive plays of the day. I think what bothers me is just that though. Fields is and has been showing his potential, he has been showing that he can scramble AND have the awareness to know when to throw the ball away. He isn't the Justin Fields he was in Chicago, he is making smarter decisions, and it's evident with no INT's and just four QB sacks in his first two games.

Fields has a passer rating of 94%, a completion rating at 69%, and 84 yards rushing thus far on the season. He is looking like the whole package that the Steelers have been looking for, but I feel like Arthur Smith may be holding him back. I think it's great that the Steelers have not been in the position yet that a two minute drill has been necessary, but I want to see Fields uncorked, throwing bombs to George Pickens.

There have been two plays in two regular season games where Fields has recorded a pass for more than 20 yards downfield, both to Pickens. Yes I get it, penalties have nullified others, but they worked! Why are they so quick to abandon the deep ball when Fields has been so consistent? Where are the splash plays? Fields was supposed to come in for wildcat and option plays if Russell Wilson started this season. Now that Fields has been starting, where are the gadget plays, where are the highlights?!?!

I get it, they are winning, I should be happy. The Steelers don't need splash plays right now and I should relax and bask in the fact that the Steelers sit atop the AFC North. Yet, I feel so unsatisfied today. I almost feel as though I am watching the Pirates starting their season. Sure there is success and they are winning games, but how long will it last? Can they keep this up mid season or down the stretch?

I know our receiving depth isn't great but there is a HUGE drop off from Pickens compared to everyone else. Pickens is at the top with 114 yards on 11 targets, Pat Freiermuth is next in line with 66 yards on eight targets. The next receiver has 15 yards... Yes, you read that right, Van Jefferson is second on the receivers list in yards at 15. Calvin Austin has 13 yards and the rest of the receiving goes to either RB's or TE's.

I think my overall point here is I don't think Fields is being utilized correctly even in his new offense. I thought Arthur Smith would have looked at the playbook from Matt Canada and ripped it up, burned it, and pissed on the ashes. Instead, it looks like they took the same offense meant for Kenny Pickett and just put Fields in his place. But we don't have Pickett, we have Fields.

Last year with the Bears, Fields threw for 416 yards in his first two games, so far this year he has 273. Are they expecting Chris Boswell to win every game for them? The next couple games on the schedule do not look as though the Steelers need to put up a ton of points to continue winning, but the Cowboys on October 6th scare me. If they can't score more than 20 points I don't see the defense bailing us out.

I am more than happy to be sitting at the top of the AFC North with two games down, especially with the Bengals and Ravens at 0-2. I just hope the Steelers don't rest on their laurels and take this good fortune for granted. The offense has to start producing more and I hope that comes with Fields at the helm.