Mike Tomlin Has To Make The Decision

If this was three weeks ago, after the Steelers had just handled the Chargers, and Justin Fields had improved to 3-0 as their starter, the decision would have been easy.

Heck, if this was two weeks ago, after the Steelers had lost to the Colts, but Fields had nearly rallied them from a 17-3 deficit that was mostly the fault of his teammates, the decision might have been even easier.

It’s not two or three weeks ago, however, and Russell Wilson is more than ready to go. Will Mike Tomlin keep rolling with Fields, or finally give Wilson a chance in this offense?

The decision might seem academic after the Steelers pasted the Raiders on the scoreboard, 32-13 (that isn’t a Scorigami, in case you were curious), but the final score belied how close this game should have been. Pittsburgh barely outgained Las Vegas, 293-275, and didn’t even establish that narrow margin until the final two drives of the game.

Najee Harris played arguably his best game as a pro, ripping off 106 yards and a touchdown on just 14 carries. His 36-yard score put the Steelers up 22-7, and felt like a back-breaking play.

There could have been a back-breaking play much earlier, but Fields’ inability to consistently move the team through the air kept things closer for longer than they should have been.

If this game was a chance to show Tomlin why he deserved to keep the starting job, I’m not sure Fields did enough.