Steelers' Justin Fields Frustrated And Fed Up With Costly Offensive Mistakes

The Pittsburgh Steelers traveled to the Mile High City and emerged with a 13-6 victory over the Denver Broncos, marking their second win of the 2024 season. The offense got off to a strong start, with Justin Fields commanding the unit with confidence. However, the Steelers' offensive momentum faltered in the second half, losing their edge and struggling to maintain consistency. Fortunately, the defense stepped up with yet another masterclass performance, holding the Broncos to just six points.

Russell Wilson, who was named the starter in the 2024 offseason, missed the game due to a lingering calf injury. Fields filled in admirably, delivering a solid performance and doing what was necessary to guide the team to victory. However, several big offensive plays were wiped out by costly penalties.

After the game, Fields addressed the media, expressing his frustration with the offensive line and the entire unit’s lack of discipline. He emphasized the need to clean up the penalties, which have repeatedly stalled drives and negated key plays. Fields made it clear that eliminating these mistakes is a top priority moving forward if the Steelers hope to continue their winning ways.

"I think the biggest thing was penalties. Just having those explosive plays and getting them negated by the penalties. We talked about it kind of last week just cleaning those up. Just got to continue to work on that and clean those up so we stop hurting ourselves."

Broderick Jones had a rough outing in the second quarter, which ultimately led to him being benched after a series of costly mistakes. On a single drive, Jones was flagged for three penalties, one of which erased a brilliant 51-yard pass from Fields to George Pickens. The loss of that big play was a significant blow to the offense’s momentum.

After the game, Fields expressed his frustration, admitting that it’s tough to watch penalties continuously derail drives and negate crucial plays. The mistakes from Jones highlight the ongoing issues with discipline that are holding the offense back.

"I mean yeah it definitely gets frustrating because it’s almost a drive killer. You want to have a clean operation, and clean plays throughout the drive. Those holding penalties, 10 yards you never want those. Just have to clean those up."

After the game, Mike Tomlin was asked if Jones’ penalties were the reason he didn’t return to the field. Tomlin didn’t mince words, responding with a direct "yes." Jones, who is fighting to reclaim his spot in the starting lineup, was already benched ahead of the Broncos game, and his performance on Sunday didn’t help his case.

The Steelers' offense looked sharper in the first half, but there was a clear drop-off in the second. The unit struggled to move the ball, forcing Pittsburgh to rely on yet another dominant defensive performance to secure the 13-6 victory. 

While a win is always valuable in the NFL, many in Steeler Nation were hoping for a more convincing finish. Instead, lingering concerns about the offense remain, as the team failed to close the door on the Broncos and left fans questioning the unit's ability to be consistent.

Steelers' Fields Has Another Respectable Showing

The Steelers knew they needed a strong start to the season, and despite the setback of Wilson’s injury, they’ve faced the adversity head-on. Fields has stepped up once again, delivering a solid performance. He completed 13 of 20 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown, keeping the offense on track. It wasn't an offensive masterclass but Fields did what was needed.

As they prepare for their Week 3 home opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Steelers are focused on cleaning up the costly penalties that have stalled several drives already in 2024. With a more disciplined effort, they’ll be looking to secure another win and continue building momentum.

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