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NFL trend watch: Steelers and Packers up; superstar quarterbacks down

Justin Fields has led the Steelers to an unbeaten start to the season. Photograph: Jack Dempsey/AP

Trending up

Pittsburgh Steelers

“It was a fight. I didn’t feel anyone blink or any guys running away from the challenge,” said Mike Tomlin with a satisfied snarl after the Steelers dispatched the LA Chargers on Sunday.

Tomlin has forged a team expected to struggle into the leaders of the AFC North. He may also have stumbled on a franchise quarterback in Justin Fields, who is growing in confidence. His athleticism is also helping boost offensive production, so the team’s scales aren’t tipped so violently toward TJ Watt and the Steelers defense. The Steelers outgained the Chargers on the ground – a key victory that saw LA’s JK Dobbins shut down from an impressive 10 yards per carry heading into the game to only three in Pittsburgh – with Fields contributing a rushing touchdown. But it was in the passing game where Fields’s quickness and speed of thought lifted Pittsburgh. Against LA’s blitz, Fields went 8 for 9 for 119 yards and a touchdown with no turnover-worthy plays.

Up next are a juicy succession of 1-2 teams: the Colts, Cowboys and Raiders. Starting with Indianapolis, the Steelers should be confident of roaring to 4-0 as the matchup looks very pretty from Pittsburgh’s perspective. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has the running power in Najee Harris and Fields to punish a Colts defense conceding 179 yards per game on the ground. Watt will also be confident he can harass Indy’s quarterback Anthony Richardson into continuing a slump full of mistakes and missed throws.

Green Bay Packers

The arrow is pointing up for strong defense giving teams an edge in 2024. The remaining unbeaten teams – Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Buffalo and Seattle – show that overwhelming force, left-field innovation and/or playing two high safeties can be pivotal.

Related: Hall of fame quarterback Brett Favre says he has been diagnosed with…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-trend-watch-steelers-packers-090023354.html

Author : The Guardian

Publish date : 2024-09-25 09:00:23

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

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