In Week 5, quarterback Justin Fields once again avoided the costly mistakes that plagued him during his time with the Chicago Bears. Since joining the Pittsburgh Steelers, he’s thrown just one interception in five games.
However, on October 6, Fields and the Steelers struggled to generate much offense against the Dallas Cowboys, particularly through the air.
While Fields managed to throw two touchdown passes, he completed only 15 of 27 attempts for 131 yards. His average of 4.9 yards per attempt was compounded by taking three sacks.
Several issues affected the Steelers’ offense in Week 5, including penalties. On one second-quarter drive, despite gaining 12 yards on first and second down, they failed to convert a first down due to two false start penalties.
When asked about the frustration from these self-inflicted mistakes, Fields gave a straightforward response.
“Most definitely,” he told the media.
After their most productive passing game of the season against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4, the Steelers once again failed to reach 140 passing yards in Week 5. They’ve been held under that mark in three of their five games this season.
Justin Fields Struggles to Define Steelers’ Offensive Identity
Fields offered a few revealing responses during his postgame press conference early on October 7. Beyond acknowledging the frustration, he tried to downplay concerns about the Steelers’ offensive identity.
But when asked in a follow-up what that identity is, Fields couldn’t give a clear answer.
“I think we have an identity, I just don’t know what it is,” he said. “I’ve never necessarily heard an option for an identity.
“I think we ran the ball well today. Like I said, we just missed shots and shot ourselves in the foot again. So, I don’t think we’re one of those teams searching for an identity. I think we know who we are. We’re a team that predicates on running the football, staying on schedule on first and second down, and then executing on third down. But we just didn’t get the job done.
“So, I don’t know the words to label the identity. But those are some intangibles and characteristics of what we are as an offense.”
While the Steelers rushed for 92 yards, the Cowboys outpaced them on the ground, in what was one of the few areas of close yardage.
Pittsburgh’s Offensive Struggles in Week 5
Coming into Week 5, the Cowboys were ranked last in rushing while the Steelers were ranked 11th.
However, Dallas’ success in the passing game opened up the run as the game progressed, while the Steelers failed to take advantage of downfield opportunities.
Overall, the Cowboys outgained the Steelers 445-226 and averaged nearly two more yards per play.
The Cowboys were 9-for-15 on third downs, whereas the Steelers only converted 3 of 12 attempts.
Despite forcing three turnovers on defense, the Steelers couldn’t capitalize, with Dallas committing 11 penalties. That only added to Pittsburgh’s frustration, as this marked just their seventh loss under head coach Mike Tomlin when forcing three takeaways.
The Steelers also became only the 20th team since 2007 to lose a game where the opponent committed three turnovers and 11 penalties.
Pittsburgh will aim to rebound next week when they face the Las Vegas Raiders on the road.
