The training camp calf injury to Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson opened the door for Justin Fields to get an opportunity. And he is taking advantage of it
Fields has now helped lead the team to a 3-0 start with Sunday’s 20-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
While the first two wins (against the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos) were the football equivalent of a rock fight with almost no offense to speak of, his performance on Sunday should earn him at least one more start regardless of Wilson’s health. Fields deserves a chance to continue to prove himself in Pittsburgh’s Week 4 game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Fields looked in command of the offense on Sunday, continued to make smart decisions and had, by far, his best passing day of the season.
He completed 25 of 32 passes for 245 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also ran for a touchdown in the win.
The interception was his first of the season and the result of a fluke bounce into traffic. If it was to be counted as a mistake, it would be one of the few he’s made in three games.
And Fields more than made up for it the rest of the day by utilizing the middle of the field as he led four scoring drives against a Chargers defense that entered Sunday as one of the best in the NFL.
His best play was this perfect 55-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Austin in the fourth quarter, giving the Steelers a 10-point lead with about seven minutes to play.
