DENVER — In Week 2, Justin Fields played the best half of football the Pittsburgh Steelers have seen since Ben Roethlisberger. And if you take away the costly penalties, he and George Pickens would have beaten the best cornerback in football by four receptions, 85 yards and a touchdown, all before halftime.

Fields finished the Week 2 win over the Denver Broncos with a 13-20 passing throw for 117 yards and a touchdown, with 27 yards rushing. It certainly wasn’t a stat that made a case for anything, but watching the game, it was the only time outside of Mason Rudolph last season that you got the sense that this offense was being run by a quarterback who could win.

The second half came with problems. The Steelers couldn’t move the ball, going three-and-out and getting into field goal range for Chris Boswell just once.

But honestly, you sat there, watching, thinking this wasn’t Fields’ fault. The offensive line was nowhere to be seen and the play-calling was basic and less than challenging. The group was close to failing, and they did, and still held on to win.

The first half is what people will remember. A back-shoulder touchdown pass to Darnell Washington. Escaping out of the pocket and hitting George Pickens 50 yards out, only to have him stripped by a hold. Another dime of 30-plus yards to Van Jefferson that he nearly hauled in with one hand while being held by Broncos DB Riley Moss. The escape around the cornerback for 16 to keep a scoring drive alive.

The first half of Week 2 was the most promising half of quarterback play the Steelers have ever had with a player who could be the future. There are already reports that Fields will start Week 3, and there should be no doubt about that. He deserves another week, and from what he did in the first half against Denver, there is hope that his next jump will be even more special.

Fields has shown the Steelers every step of the way that he still has a lot to show. He became more reliable during training camp after a poor start. He took a leap from playing sporadically in Week 1 when he was called up, and looked like an elite quarterback for the first half of Week 2.

Only time will tell what Week 3 brings, but the Steelers should be excited about what’s to come. Fields is starting to mature to the point where he’s unstoppable.

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