How the Steelers ended up 3-1 through the first quarter of the season
The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2024 NFL season with high expectations from their fans but low expectations from their critics. With a determination to make an impact in the AFC North, the underdog Steelers are leading their division by a game over the Ravens and two games over both the Browns and Bengals.
Led by a backup quarterback, Justin Fields, the Steelers faced four intense matchups during the first quarter of the season. Let’s break down their performances from each week, analyzing their results and key players who contributed to the team’s early success.
Week 1: Atlanta Falcons
The Steelers kicked off their 2024 NFL season campaign on Sunday, September 8, with a road game against the Atlanta Falcons. The game was a defensive battle, where both teams struggled to find a consistent offensive rhythm. However, Pittsburgh’s defense proved to be the stronger unit, allowing the Steelers to secure an 18-10 victory over the Falcons.
Justin Fields, who was installed as the Steelers’ starting quarterback midway through that week’s practice, had a modest day. Fields would throw for 156 yards with no touchdowns, but he avoided turnovers, which proved crucial in this tight contest.
The real star on offense was the Steelers’ run game, led by running back Najee Harris, who carried the ball 17 times for 70 yards. Fields would add 57 yards on the ground too, helping Pittsburgh control the clock and keep the Falcons’ defense on the field.
Wide receiver George Pickens also made his presence felt with 85 receiving yards, with some key plays when needed: and some that were also taken away due to penalties!
The defense, as always, was the backbone of Pittsburgh’s effort, limiting Atlanta to just 10 points. The Steelers’ ability to create pressure and force mistakes from Atlanta’s offense set the tone for the game. Though the offense didn’t explode, the victory showed that Pittsburgh’s defense remained elite, and they could grind out tough wins even when their offense was still finding its rhythm.
Week 2: Denver Broncos
In Week 2, the Steelers traveled again, this time to face the Denver Broncos in a low-scoring affair. As was the case against the Falcons, the Steelers defense was the story, as they held the Broncos to just six points en route to a gritty 13-6 victory. The game wasn’t flashy, but the Steelers managed to improve to 2-0 on the season.
Justin Fields delivered a performance that wasn’t much different from Week 1, passing for 117 yards, but found Darnell Washington for the team’s first TD of the season. While Fields didn’t light up the scoreboard, his command of the offense and ability to manage the game without making critical mistakes gave Pittsburgh the edge.
Najee Harris, once again, played a pivotal role in the ground game, rushing for 69 yards, while Jaylen Warren added 42, providing balance to the Steelers’ offense as the run game eclipsed 100 total yards for a second straight week.
Pittsburgh’s defense managed to keep the Broncos out of the end zone for the entire game. Their defensive front applied pressure, making life difficult for Denver’s rookie QB Bo Nix and their offense, securing their second consecutive victory.
Week 3: Los Angeles Chargers
Week 3 saw the Steelers return to Pittsburgh for their home opener, hosting the 2-0 Los Angeles Chargers. This was arguably the Steelers’ best all-around performance of the young season, as they dominated the Chargers in a 20-10 win to improve to 3-0.
The game had an interesting over under NFL line, with many expecting a higher-scoring contest based on both teams’ previous performances. However, Pittsburgh’s defense held strong, keeping the Chargers’ offense in check.
Justin Fields had his best game of the season thus far, throwing for 245 yards, throwing a touchdown pass and running for another. Unfortunately, he would have his first interception of the season, but he otherwise led the offense with confidence.
As has been the story thus far, the Steelers rushed for over 100 yards, led by Harris’ 70 yards and aided by Cordarrelle Patterson’s 33 yards on four carries.
But it was the emergence of wide receiver Calvin Austin III, who led the team with 95 receiving yards, that made headlines. Austin’s ability to stretch the field gave the Steelers a new dimension on offense, one they had been searching for during the first two weeks, as he took a perfectly timed and placed pass from Fields to the house on a 55-yard score.
On defense, Pittsburgh once again shined, limiting the Chargers to just 10 points and shutting them out in the second half. Their ability to adjust and clamp down on opponents in the final moments had been a key factor in their early-season success.
Week 4: Indianapolis Colts
We may look back on this game and see the one that got away, as the Steelers made their third road trip in four weeks, this time heading to Indianapolis to face the 1-2 Colts.
Unfortunately, the Steelers weren’t in as much control of this game as they had been in the previous three weeks. The Colts jumped out to a 17-0 lead, aided mostly by 2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Joe Flacco coming in at quarterback. Flacco would throw for two touchdowns in the 27-24 loss, that ended up being a lot closer than the first half would indicate.
Justin Fields led three second half touchdown drives in a row to close the gap to three points, but in the end, the Steelers couldn’t seal the deal.
Fields would see his best game of the season, improving on his Week 3 totals by throwing for 312 yards and a touchdown, while also contributing 55 yards on the ground as the team’s leading rusher.
The Steelers defense struggled to create any turnovers, whereas the offense lost the ball twice – on two fumbles – to create the lopsided turnover margin. An inability to get off of the field on third down, allowing the Colts to convert 53% of their opportunities, brought the elite Pittsburgh defense back to Earth as the team fell to a 3-1 record.
Final Thoughts
The Steelers’ start to the 2024 season has been marked by their stifling defense and an offense that’s still finding its way. At 3-1, Pittsburgh is well-positioned in the AFC North, but questions remain about their offensive ceiling. Justin Fields has been efficient, but veteran Russell Wilson continues to rehab and is lying in wait.
The continued production of Najee Harris will be under a microscope behind a patchwork offensive line, as the Steelers and new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith look to balance their offense moving forward.
As the season unfolds, the Steelers’ offense and defense will need to play complimentary football if they want to continue their winning ways and make a deep playoff run.
