The Steelers are 3-0.
But anybody who says they have a clear vision of what the Steelers are is fooling themself.
Anybody who says they’re sure who the quarterback should be is also fooling themself.
After three games, little is certain about the Steelers.
Justin Fields played his first legit good game in Sunday’s 20-10 home win over the Los Angeles Chargers. That’s the first victory Fields can attach his name to. He steered the ship.
Conventional wisdom says the Steelers should keep Fields at quarterback by way of not disrupting a successful formula.
But Fields played the occasional good game during his three catastrophic seasons in Chicago, too. Was Sunday one of those anomalies, or is he reinventing himself?
Fields definitely played well. Made some excellent throws. Fields isn’t trying to play hero ball. He was a human turnover in Chicago but is protecting the ball now. Oppenheimer’s offense finally used the middle of the field, throwing 15 times between the numbers. Fields handled that.
But that offense still has just three touchdowns and 51 points in three games.
Who would you trust more to beat a good team, Fields or Russell Wilson?
That’s assuming Wilson ever gets healthy.
But when Wilson does, if he’s not starting, he’ll want to be traded.
Related:
• Madden Monday: If Justin Fields stays at QB, 'Russ is going to want out... and I won't blame him'
• Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances: Second-half defensive dominance, WR contributions keep Steelers unbeaten
• 5 things we learned: Steelers' win ripped from Bill Cowher era
Nothing personal. (Probably.) But Wilson is 35. He didn’t come to Pittsburgh to be a backup. He can’t let his career further dwindle.
Fields has lots of support in the media, not least ESPN’s “Get Up” program. After Fields’ performance Sunday, the “Get Up” gang will be like old men in a peep show booth. (Remember those? I don’t.)
I’d probably go with Wilson when he’s ready.
I bet Mike Tomlin isn’t sure what he’ll do.
The offense isn’t great. It has to score more and faster. The running game is pedestrian. Kenny the Kangaroo scored a touchdown. So did Fields, but he doesn’t run the ball enough.
The defense is for real.
The defense might finally be morphing into an elite group, not a meh unit with a few elite players. That side of the ball has lots of depth everywhere but the front three.
Is it time to debate whether Nick Herbig should start at edge rusher ahead of Alex Highsmith? Herbig got two sacks Sunday and was electric. (Highsmith left with a groin injury late in the first half.)
The Steelers dominated the second half, outgaining the Chargers, 255 yards to minus-5 yards. That was the best Steelers half in a long time.
The Steelers bullied the Chargers on both sides of the line of scrimmage for most of the afternoon.
The defense contained the Chargers’ running game, which had the NFL’s second-most yards after Week 2.
The offense owned the fourth quarter against the Chargers’ second-ranked defense, scoring 10 points and controlling the ball for the final 4:59.
There’s a lot to like.
But there’s also a lot of uncertainty. Being 3-0 doesn’t lie. Unless it does.
The Steelers might be good. But I can’t commit.
The rest of the AFC North has stumbled so far. That helps.
Sunday wasn’t a fun game to watch, especially in the first half. But the Steelers aren’t going to be.
I respect Tomlin for taking a knee near the Chargers’ goal line on the final two plays instead of scoring. Here in Pittsburgh, we’re all about sportsmanship. And the under.