Steelers OC Arthur Smith Praises Justin Fields’ Performance vs. Colts: ‘Damn Near Took the Game Over’
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields was far from perfect in Sunday’s 27-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, as he had a crucial fumble and a botched snap with rookie center Zach Frazier on the final possession. But he did show promise and fight when the Steelers were down 17-0 in the first half and 24-10 in the fourth quarter.
Justin Fields finished with 312 yards passing and one touchdown with a 104.0 quarterback rating. He also rushed for 55 yards yards and two touchdowns.
“I thought in that second half, it was cool to watch as a coach and a play caller, when somebody gets that kind of flow, he damn near took the game over,” Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said. “And when that happens and you feel it with a player, it didn’t matter what I called, you felt him rolling. So that’s what was such a bitter pill to swallow, how the game ended.”
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday that he didn’t feel “any blink” in Fields when down two scores in the fourth quarter.
“We were down multiple scores in the fourth quarter, man, but I didn’t feel any blink. In particular, I didn’t feel any blink in Justin,” Tomlin said. “We’ve talked about his steady demeanor in recent weeks. In terms of the things that I’ve grown to know and understand about him, I think it’s really on display in moments like that. You really get an opportunity to develop a relationship in the midst of adversity and competition. I’m not trying to microwave our relationship, if you will. And so being in circumstances, it’s an opportunity for him to get to know me, me to get to know him and to fight and fight together, but not only for him but a lot of new guys.”
The three consecutive touchdowns in the second half gives Smith a lot of confidence about his unit moving forward.
“Absolutely. That’s what you’re trying to build,” Smith said. “We got a young group, playing a lot of different guys. That’s what you want to see from them. The best teams are the ones that are improving (as the year progresses). You got to be in it to go for a top seed and an invitation to play in January. That’s what we’re shriving for every week. I think you saw that, whatever the stats ended up being. I think it was around 400 yards (of offense).”
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.
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