Can Justin Fields continue playing mistake-free football?
As the NFL season progresses, the pressure to avoid costly mistakes becomes more apparent for every team. Filling in as the starting quarterback through the first four games of the season, Justin Fields is leading the charge in this department for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fields, who was previously plagued by turnovers during his first three seasons in the league with the Chicago Bears has been focused on delivering mistake-free football.
With high expectations surrounding the team, Fields knows that minimizing errors is the key to success. As such, he has had a solid start to the 2024 NFL season.
Fields has been a key factor in the Steelers’ strong 4-0 start, showing poise and consistency both as a passer and a runner. Through his first four games, Fields has completed 77 of 109 passes (70.6%) for 830 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. His overall passer rating is 98.0, but he’s also excelled outside of throwing the football, rushing for 145 yards and three touchdowns on 38 carries.
As excitement grows for the upcoming games, fans, and bettors are hoping that Fields and his teammates can deliver the quality football they are hoping for. They’re flocking to online sportsbooks to place wagers and back their team. Fans seeking more opportunities have the option to unlock even more rewards by utilizing any Betonline bonus code of their choosing. These bonuses are great for bettors as they can increase bankrolls, provide more chances to win, and enhance the overall betting experience by allowing for more strategic plays.
Justin Fields’ focus on mistake-free football
With a major Sunday Night Football matchup against the Dallas Cowboys looming this weekend, Fields is looking to lead the Steelers through a clean, disciplined performance that could lead them to a 4-1 start, compared with last season’s 3-2 beginning through Week 5. Those five games were led by former Steelers starting quarterback Kenny Pickett, who did not provide the same type of spark on offense that Fields has had thus far.
Pickett completed only 59.75% of his 159 passes against those opponents, good for 1,027 yards, five touchdowns, and four interceptions. His 16 carries resulted in only 12 rushing yards with no scores.
The Steelers offense was sorely lacking, which makes Fields an exciting option going forward. As he settles into his role as the leader of the Steelers’ offense, he has made it clear that avoiding turnovers and playing smart football are top priorities. Fields has already shown glimpses of his potential this season, but the young quarterback understands that his development depends on playing a cleaner, more controlled game than he did with Chicago.
Through five games last season, Fields completed 61.8% of his 152 attempts for 1,143 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. He was sacked 20 times in those games, while limiting his sacks to 10 through four with Pittsburgh thus far.
Fields’ ability to read defenses and make decisions under pressure will be crucial. With Dallas’ top pass rushers, DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons, likely out this Sunday, we could see another big game from the Steelers QB. The result of that hard work is already visible on the field, as he had one of his best games against the Chargers and followed that up with another big game against the Colts last week.
The Steelers’ push for precision
The Steelers’ offensive struggles have been a topic of conversation throughout the season, but with Fields leading the way, the team is looking to improve and correct those issues. Fields has the physical tools and the football IQ to make plays, but consistency is key. Consider Fields is playing in the absence of their superstar quarterback, Russell Wilson, who continues to work his way back from a calf injury. He’s been playing with “house money” to date, but has to remain consistent so he’s not looking over his shoulder at the veteran Wilson jumping back into the starting role.
The offensive line, who lost James Daniels this week to IR, will also need to step up and provide better protection to keep Fields upright and give him time to make accurate throws.
One area where the Steelers are looking for improvement is in the running game. Najee Harris might be in contention to play the entire game with Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson sidelined with injuries. Harris has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled to find consistent success behind the ever-changing offensive line and having played against some of the top run defenses in the league.
If Harris can get going, it will open up the play-action game, giving Fields more opportunities to stretch the defense. For Pittsburgh, establishing a balanced offense without making mistakes is critical to avoiding unnecessary pressure on the quarterback.
Defensive showdown
While the focus is on Fields and the Steelers’ offense, their defense will play a pivotal role in helping secure a win. Pittsburgh’s defense, anchored by T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick, has been one of the most reliable units in the league. They have the ability to generate turnovers and disrupt opposing offenses, giving Fields and the offense more opportunities to score.
The defense will be looking to force their opponents into mistakes, which has proven to be the deciding factor in a tightly contested games this season.
Fan Expectations and Future Outlook
Steelers fans are known for their passionate support, and they expect nothing less than a return to form. The notion of playing mistake-free football not only excites fans but also elevates their hopes for a deep playoff run. A disciplined team that executes its game plan effectively will not only capture wins but also the admiration of its loyal fanbase.
Fields has exhibited growth with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. People are warming up to the idea that Fields has untapped potential that wasn’t properly developed in his first three years with the Chicago Bears.
However, as the season unfolds, Fields’ ability to avoid mistakes will be closely scrutinized. The football community will be watching to see if he can turn his potential into consistent performances. The strong start built momentum, but a few costly errors can derail his career trajectory and see the team move to playing Wilson.
