The Steelers have started the season 2-0, with wins in Atlanta last week and Denver yesterday, but Coach Mike Tomlin says they have a lot of work to do to keep it going. With an offense that stumbled throughout the game, the Steelers again turned to their defense to make the difference in a 13-6 win over the Broncos.
Justin Fields threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Darnell Washington in the first quarter and Chris Boswell kicked a 22-yard field goal in the second quarter and a 53-yarder in the third quarter, giving him eight field goals in eight attempts this season. The Broncos could only manage two field goals in the fourth quarter as the Steelers sacked rookie quarterback Bo Nix twice (by TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith) and intercepted him twice (by Corey Trice Jr. in the Steelers’ end zone in the third quarter and by Damontae Kazee at the end of the game.)
The Pittsburgh offense was thwarted by penalties in the first half and by the Brocos’ defense in the second half. Tackle Broderick Jones committed three penalties in six plays, two of them holding penalties, one of them negating a 51-yard reception by George Pickens. Jones was immediately benched in favor of rookie Troy Fautanu.
Tomlin says the penalties were drive-killers.
Tomlin was careful not to blame the officials for the Steelers’ mistakes.
The Steelers’ defense allowed Denver only 3.4 yards per rushing attempt and the Broncos could only convert 3 of 14 third or fourth downs into first downs.
Tomlin says he knows his defense is always going to be there for him.
The coach says the Steelers are loaded with defensive skill.
Starting a second straight game at quarterback in place of Russell Wilson, Fields completed 10 of his first 12 passes but finished the game only 13-of-20 for 117 yards. In two games he has one touchdown pass and no interceptions.
Tomlin says he is getting an idea of how Fields can impact a game.
Fields says he’s happy the offense hasn’t given away the ball and put extra pressure on the defense.
Highsmith says the Steelers defense is asserting itself early in the season.
Highsmith says the defense is keeping it simple.
The Steelers come home next week to play the Los Angeles Chargers, who beat Carolina yesterday, 26-3. Rather than fly home to Los Angeles, the Chargers will stay in Charlotte this week to prepare for Sunday afternoon’s game.
Checking other AFC North action, the Ravens and Bengals are both 0-2 after losing on late field goals. Baltimore lost to the Raiders, 26-23, and Cincinnati lost to Kansas City, 26-25. The Browns are 1-1 after beating Jacksonville, 18-13.
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