Justin Fields has officially arrived.
The second-year quarterback put on a history-making performance against the Miami Dolphins, setting the single-game record for rushing yards in a game by a quarterback with 178.
Although it was in a losing effort, Fields made a statement that he is amongst the league’s top young quarterbacks in his best game to date. Let’s take a look at his best plays from Week 9.
Play 1
The naked bootleg is executed to perfection here. Fields freezes the defender off the edge with a great sell on the play action. Watch that brief pause- the defender can’t attack one way or the other because he isn’t sure where the ball is. Fields then explodes to the outside and hits an open Cole Kmet, who gets a great block from Equanimeous St. Brown and gets into the end zone.
Play 2
This is just a really strong, medium distance throw from Fields. Sells the play fake from the gun, and throws a strike to Dante Pettis who finds a soft spot in the middle of the Dolphins’ zone.
Play 3
This is pure schoolyard running from the former Buckeye. He does a figure eight in the pocket to escape pressure, finds a gap and punches it into open space for positive yardage. You can’t coach that.
Play 4
I love the dual back sets on read options and RPO’s that the Bears have begun to integrate into their offense. This looks like a designed run for Fields, though, with the blocking. He keeps the ball after faking it to his running back on the left, and the man lined up to his right comes across to take Bradley Chubb out of the equation. This frees up the entire right side for Fields to get big yardage.
Play 5
This is Fields’ best throw of the day, and maybe the season. It’s a slot fade to Darnell Mooney. Fields puts it on his back shoulder, and Mooney makes a terrific catch for the touchdown.
Play 6
More really good usage of play action here. Fields sells it very well, and then spins outside and immediately takes off, gashing the Dolphins defense for another big run.
Play 7
When you freeze this play on the moment Fields can either keep the ball or give it off, it looks as if he should have handed the ball off. But that confidence in knowing he can outrun the edge defender is what you want in a quarterback. Amazing stuff here.
Play 8
We saved the best for last because this was maybe the best run you’ll ever see from a quarterback. Fields has no one downfield, freezes the defense with a side-armed pump fake, splits three defenders and is gone. There are abilities you either have or you don’t- there aren’t many that have the skill it takes to execute what Fields does here.
