Hey Steelers Fans. Welcome to another Victory Monday!
You can spin it any way you’d like to but the Pittsburgh Steelers are 3-0. They aren’t doing anything flashy, they’re just finding ways to win. Like Mike Tomlin says, “Learning when you’re winning is better than learning when you’re losing.” He’s absolutely right. A 20-10 win in the home opener offered plenty of challenges but a victory still came.
Has to be Justin
Are you familiar with Wally Pipp? He was the guy who got hurt, making way for some guy named Lou Gehrig. Russell Wilson isn’t quite the same but I just don’t see how the Steelers can go away from Justin Fields right now. There are going to be bad days – every QB has them – but what has Fields done to not be the starter? His first turnover of the season came off a deflection. Granted, it was a pass that shouldn’t have been thrown. Still, one turnover in three games from a guy averaging about one turnover per game in his career is pretty damn good. I keep coming back to this question. Would Russell Wilson have been able to make the plays with his legs that Fields has made in three games? I don’t think so.
That’s Not to Say…
Would Wilson be running the offense better? I can’t answer that. That could mean he’s more likely to take deep shots or more likely to check out of plays that Fields might not. I’m trying to be fair to Wilson but at the same time it’s advantage Fields right now.
Charting Fields
Week Three’s Passing Chart again shows more activity over the middle. In week one it was non-existent. 
Moving Forward on the O-Line
With Troy Fautanu likely out for the season, it’s Dan Moore on the left and Broderick Jones on the right. Both had their share of struggles against the Chargers but both held their own especially in the second half. Mason McCormick got some time and I wonder if he won’t replace Spencer Anderson. That said, Isaac Seumalo sounds like he’s fairly close to returning. The one constant on this unit is rookie Zach Frazier. He’s been terrific.
NOTE: Fautanu has what is essentially a dislocated kneecap which is going to require surgery. According to Gerry Dulac, he could return for a potential postseason game.
Impressed!
How could anyone not have been impressed by both Calvin Austin III and Scotty Miller? Both guys caught balls and just as importantly, they made guys miss. The problem is that neither is a decent blocker so using them has to be creative and strategic. Once Roman Wilson is finally ready to go, the wide receiving corps of George Pickens and the water bugs will be complete!
Cam the Man
At 35, Cam Heyward is supposed to be readying himself for retirement. Instead, he’s playing at a high level and is playing equally well versus the run and the pass. Can he sustain it all season? Let’s hope so and don’t bet against him.
Random Reads…
Of all the guys to get an interception against us it was Bud Dupree… The flag on Keannu Benton for ‘delay of game’ was bogus. The official said “he ‘deliberately’ switched hands while stemming to draw movement from the offensive line.” In other words, this should completely outlaw defensive linemen from moving then right??? I’m concerned about Jaylen Warren. Four touches again yesterday. I think that hamstring is hampering him big time… Cordarrelle Patterson was close to breaking a couple of runs yesterday. When he gets going he’s fun to watch… The Ravens are scoring points but they aren’t without their problems… The Browns seem to be a mess and I think it all starts at QB… The Red Rider rides again! What a day for Andy Dalton.
Hot Reads is presented by Frank Walker Law
