In a primetime snow bowl game, the Cleveland Browns got the better of the Pittsburgh Steelers, snapping their five-game winning streak.
Pittsburgh scored only six points through the first three quarters and trailed 10-6 going into the fourth, but they managed to take a 19-18 lead late in the fourth quarter. Some late-game heroics by Browns quarterback Jameis Winston may have kept the Steelers from winning, but there were positive takeaways from the game.
Despite the first couple of plays not yielding positive results, the Steelers found success using packages for quarterback Justin Fields, according to NFL.com’s Eric Edholm.
“Justin Fields entered on the Steelers’ first third-down snap, six plays into the game, but it was blown dead for a false start and Fields came out on third-and-6,” Edholm said. “On their second possession, Fields came on for a fourth-and-2 play, but it was a mess from the start, and he was tackled for a 2-yard loss and a turnover on downs.”
“But when the Steelers came back to Fields in the fourth quarter, down, 18-6, he gave them an instant spark with a 30-yard run. Later, Fields’ throw drew a roughing-the-passer flag, helping the Steelers to a big touchdown. Pittsburgh needed something. Russell Wilson started the game 11-of-11 passing for 147 yards and had a key fumble recovery, but the Steelers were stuck on three points at the half. Dan Moore struggled with Myles Garrett all night, and the Steelers gave up yards with pre-snap penalties.”
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Pittsburgh’s offense has grown since Wilson took over under center. That doesn’t mean that the team won’t utilize Fields’ abilities. This game displayed how using both quarterbacks can give Pittsburgh more options when the offense needs a boost.
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Featured image via Ken Blaze/Imagn Images