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The Steelers defense powers Justin Fields and the offense to a 13-6 win over Denver and a 2-0 start
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The Steelers defense powers Justin Fields and the offense to a 13-6 win over Denver and a 2-0 start

The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t getting much production on offense. That doesn’t matter, since their defense isn’t allowing much.

The Steelers won Week 1 without scoring a touchdown, then won by just one touchdown on Sunday. The Steelers are 2-0 with two wins on foreign soil, despite some offensive struggles, especially since the defense looked great again in a 13-6 win over the Denver Broncos.

The Steelers crushed Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix, with TJ Watt having another fantastic game and everyone pitching in. The Broncos were held to three points for 58 minutes, managed a field goal in the final two minutes, but couldn’t score a miracle touchdown in the final seconds. The Steelers may have only one offensive touchdown, but they’ve only allowed one touchdown. That was six quarters ago.

Justin Fields has made two starts and done enough that it seems unlikely he will be replaced by Russell Wilson anytime soon. Maybe that’s the best thing you can say about the Steelers’ offense, but 2-0 is 2-0.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) led a win over the Broncos in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) led a win over the Broncos in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields led a win over the Broncos in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

The Steelers were so dominant on defense that the Broncos felt they needed to use a trick play to get something going. They did a flea flicker, Nix had Josh Reynolds deep and although he was too late to get him the ball, Reynolds came down with a jumping catch for 49 yards. The Broncos were finally in business.

Two plays later, Nix threw an interception in the end zone. Steelers cornerback Cory Trice Jr. lured the rookie quarterback, who thought he had Courtland Sutton open in the end zone. Trice slid over and had an easy pick of Nix’s sidearm pass. That was the day for the Broncos offense. The Falcons of Week 1 can relate.

Somewhere early in the game, the Steelers’ offense had to realize that their biggest job was not to blow it. Like last week, when the Falcons scored 10 points and lost 18-10, the Steelers simply had to control the clock, not run it out and score enough to never really put the game within reach of their opponent.

It’s not the prettiest formula, but it worked twice.

Wilson’s calf injury before Week 1 opened the door for Fields to start Week 1. The competition between Wilson and Fields in the preseason was close, and the Steelers won the opener with Fields playing a decent game, so Pittsburgh didn’t appear to be considering a change. Head coach Mike Tomlin said last week that Fields would be the starter.

There is no reason to make a change after a 2-0 start. Fields did not really get going, but he was decent enough again.

At some point, the Steelers are going to play someone stronger than a rusty Kirk Cousins ​​or an overpowered rookie like Nix, and at that point the offense is going to have to do more than just not blow things up. That’s when Fields will be tested, and if things don’t go well, big changes may be considered.

Right now, all is well in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are undefeated behind a very good defense that handles the quarterback like few other teams. There is still a long way to go, but so far, Tomlin seems to be working some magic again after winning two games by just one touchdown.