2 weeks Ago By Brogan Noey, Steeler Nation
The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the nine undefeated teams left in the NFL just two weeks into the NFL season. The wins haven't been pretty, but the offense has found ways to protect the football and score some points while the defense has been dominant, which fans have become accustomed to. Justin Fields has been leading the offensive charge while Russell Wilson has been nursing a calf injury.
He hasn't been spectacular, but he has done what is necessary -- which has many believing he is the future of the position in Pittsburgh. It's early in the season, but the Steelers find themselves on top of the standings in the AFC North, and near the top of the AFC as a whole. Many still consider them to be a middle-level team that doesn't have what it takes to do anything this season, but former superstar quarterback, Cam Newton disagrees.
The former NFL MVP went on his podcast, 4th&1 With Cam Newton , where he shared that he is fully sold on the Steelers and how they are using Fields. "The Steelers, I'm jumping on that train. I'm sold bro, I'm sold, they're the real deal.
I'm sold with how Justin Fields has been playing, clean, clean. This ain't astronomical, like bro, finding ways to win. Keep that way of winning with Justin Fields, allow him to protect the football, allow him to make plays in the running game.
Keep it methodical." It seems as though Newton would like to see more of Fields, even once Wilson returns to full health. Fields hasn't been lighting up the stat sheet, but he hasn't turned the ball over and has been a fairly efficient passer.
He has also shown off his athleticism, as he extended drives with the use of his legs. This is an added layer to the offense that Wilson cannot provide. Pittsburgh has a clear goal on offense for the 2024 season, which is to rely on the run game.
The Steelers have all of the tools to do this with both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren , as well as Fields, who is an elite runner. Newton wants to see the offense rely on the run game, while also utilizing their weapons at tight end. He spoke more about why he is so bought into the Steelers for the 2024 season.
"Feed Najee [Harris], let's get these tight ends involved in the passing game. Allow TJ [Watt], Minkah [Fitzpatrick] and them to go crazy on defense." The Steelers have relied on their run game for several seasons now, and that is even more true now that Arthur Smith is calling the shots.
They lead the league in rushing attempts through two weeks, and are 12th in total yardage on the ground. This will continue to be the focus, but expect the offense to open up a little more for Fields too. He has a talented arm, and George Pickens is a budding star that can make a defense pay in the passing game.
Steelers' George Pickens Has Elevated His Game Pickens is entering his first season as the true number one receiver for the Steelers. In years past, he was behind Diontae Johnson, but now he is the only truly reliable option at wide receiver for Pittsburgh. There was a lot of worry going into the year that he wouldn't be able to be effective against more defensive attention, but so far, that hasn't seemed to be an issue.
In Week 1, Pickens caught six balls for 86 yards, and had a big catch wiped off the board due to a questionable offensive pass interference call. In Week 2, he only caught two passes for 29 yards, but had a 51-yard catch wiped away thanks to a holding call and an extremely athletic touchdown grab was taken off the board as well. He has proven to be effective against two of the league's best corners in AJ Terrell and Pat Surtain II.
This offense could really open up as the season moves along. This article first appeared on SteelerNation.com and was syndicated with permission.
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