How long can the Steelers’ defense keep bailing out Justin Fields?

The Pittsburgh Steelers dominated the Las Vegas Raiders in their Week 6 contest, outscoring them with a final score of 32-13. However, the score doesn’t do the defense justice, nor tell the whole story.

Fields’ athletic abilities have never been in question. However, his overall quarterback play begs the question, would the Steelers have lost this game if not for T.J. Watt and the rest of the defense?

Watt’s two forced fumbles stopped the Raiders from scoring additional points and killed their momentum, as well as gift-wrapping the Steelers’ offense touchdowns. An interception by CB Donte Jackson, as well as blocked punt by LB Jeremiah Moon, gave the Pittsburgh offense their scoring position.

While an argument can be made that Fields’ rushing ability helped push the offense, a similar counter-argument can also clearly seen that Fields cannot win games with his arm. Some believe Fields shouldn’t be benched in favor of Russell Wilson, but Fields produced his worst passer-rating of the season today: 75.9 QBR, with an abysmal completion percentage of under 60%.

Wins should not be a quarterback stat, but Fields may have lost this team more games than Wilson would have.