Did Justin Fields do enough in Week 2 to secure Steelers starting job?

Mike Moraitis

•
Did Justin Fields do enough in Week 2 to secure Steelers starting job? image

The Pittsburgh Steelers are off to a 2-0 start to the season with quarterback Justin Fields at the helm of the offense after beating the Denver Broncos in Week 2, 13-6.

Fields completed 13-of-20 passes for 117 yards and one touchdown while adding eight carries for 27 yards in the winning effort. His lone touchdown pass went to tight end Darnell Washington.

We should also note that Fields would've had another 51 yards if his beautiful pass to George Pickens in the second quarter wasn't negated by a Broderick Jones holding penalty. It was one of three Jones penalties on the drive and he singlehandedly wrecked the series for Fields and Co.

While it's no doubt great to see the Steelers starting off 2-0, things have been anything but pretty on offense with Fields under center.

After a promising start to Sunday's game in the first half, the Steelers went punt, punt, field goal, punt, punt, punt, punt in the second half. Pittsburgh has just one touchdown drive and 31 total points over two contests, and the rushing attack (278) has more yards than the passing game (243).

Fields has done a good job taking care of the football for the most part, but that's partly because of luck, as he has fumbled once in each game but managed to recover both.

The real story of the first two games is the Steelers' defense. We would have much different results for Pittsburgh to begin the season if the unit wasn't playing out of its mind.

What we've seen from Fields and the offense over two games is enough against average-at-best teams like the Broncos and Atlanta Falcons, but it won't be sufficient against contenders.

Earlier in the day, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the Steelers may stick with Fields once Russell Wilson returns if he can, "Execute the game plan, take care of the football and let one of the NFL's best defenses perform."

Fields did that once again on Sunday, but talk about setting the bar extremely low for what the Steelers are looking for in a starter. That's not going to be enough to get the Steelers far and head coach Mike Tomlin owes it to his team to see if Wilson can provide more once he's healthy.

Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis Photo

After cutting his teeth with Bleacher Report, Mike Moraitis has covered the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans for FanSided, and the Titans and New York Giants for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. On top of his duties with Sporting News, Mike is the managing editor and lead writer for Titans Wire.