When the Pittsburgh Steelers realized that quarterback Justin Fields would be starting in Russell Wilson’s place, the game plan required some adjustments. Fields, boasting more mobility than Wilson, opens up the playbook and allows offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to reach into his bag of quarterback runs.
Rushing 14 times in the 18-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons, it quickly became a priority.
But the core tenant of Pittsburgh’s plan in Week 1 was going to remain the same, no matter who was under center.
Avoid Jessie Bates III.
Smith, having coached the Falcons each of the last three seasons, knows a thing or two about the roster he left behind. Up close and personal, he’s seen the damage Bates can do – just last season he nearly single-handedly beat the Carolina Panthers in quarterback Bryce Young’s NFL debut.
Subsequently, Fields did not throw a pass between the hash marks. Between screens, streaks, and other boundary routes, everything was to the sidelines if it was coming through the air.