The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into Wild Card Weekend on a four-game skid. The offense has been out of sync and have struggled to put points on the board. Russell Wilson has started to look his age, failing to pass for 150 yards in two of last four contests. The Steelers are in need of finding ways to move the ball down the field and finishing drives in the end zone if they want to pull off the upset in Baltimore. For Mark Schlereth, the best chance of Pittsburgh doing that is starting Justin Fields.
Matt Freed / ap photo
Steelers' Russell Wilson and Justin Fields warming up before a game.
Schlereth was on the Breakfast Ball and spoke about why he believes Fields gives the Steelers the best chance of winning against their division rival. While the offense in the last few weeks have put themselves in bad situations by taking bad sacks and struggling to move the ball on the ground, Schlereth believes Fields' playmaking ability with his legs solves a lot of those issues.
"I think if you're going to put it out there and you're going to beat the Baltimore Ravens, I think the best option is Justin Fields," said Schlereth. "Right now, the way they are playing offensively, the struggles they've had as an offense, where they're at right now, not only not running the ball, but taking sacks, put yourself behind the chains is a problem and Russell Wilson has a history of taking sacks. In the last three games, he's taken 12 sacks."
While Schlereth understands that Fields has the same issues when it comes to holding onto the ball too long as Wilson does, he believes the offense can move the ball more efficiently with Fields' legs. Wilson has scrambled a bit this season, but not to the level of success as Fields. Even Head Coach Mike Tomlin has admitted that Wilson's mobility isn't at the same level as Fields.
"You can operate your offense different with Justin Fields making him more of a running back than quarterback," said Schlereth.
Schlereth even pointed out that Wilson taking sacks consistently is killing drives for the Steelers. In 31 total drives that Wilson has taken a sack, only three have resulted with a touchdown. In almost half of those drives, Pittsburgh ends up giving the ball back to the opposing team with either a punt or turnover.
Breakfast Ball / FS1
Steelers' Russell Wilson struggles to find the end zone on drives that he takes a sack.
Fields has shown in his six starts for the Steelers that he can find ways to win, as he posted a 4-2 record for Pittsburgh at the beginning of the year. He had passed for 1,106 yards with five touchdowns and a interception, while rushing for 289 yards and five touchdowns. When the Steelers promoted Wilson as their starter for the remainder of the season, they would still sprinkle in Fields from time to time, but more for his legs than his arm in short yardage situations.
The Steelers at one point this season had media personalities apologizing to Tomlin for his shocking decision of benching Fields for Wilson. Wilson started his tenure with a hot hand for Pittsburgh, leading the offense to average 30.3 points in his first three starts. Unfortunately, in his last four starts, the offense has only averaged 14.25 points per game and that will not win the Steelers a playoff game.
Steelers Need A Spark To Their Offense And It Could Be Fields
The Steelers' last month is one to forget. Before their losing streak, they were competing for the top seed in the AFC. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, they now have to travel to Baltimore and face a team peaking at the best possible time. If the Steelers want to escape with a win, they are going to have to throw the kitchen sink at the Ravens.
John Bazemore / Associated Press
Steelers' Justin Fields in a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
The sink could be starting Fields, something that the Ravens wouldn't have too much time to prepare for. Tomlin and Arthur Smith has to figure out something to kickstart this offense to the efficiency that fans saw earlier this year and the solution could be Fields.
Should the Steelers start Fields over Wilson in Baltimore? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
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