In the always fun and never tiring game of ‘who to blame next for Week 12’s loss to Cleveland,’ there appears to be a common denominator in Steelers OC Arthur Smith’s usage of the Justin Fields package.
It is tough to decipher, but much of the shortcomings from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss to the Cleveland Browns fall on Smith’s mishandling of Fields in Week 12.
In situations where QB Russell Wilson should have stayed in the game, he was subbed out for Fields. In scenarios where Fields could have better utilized his legs, the plays often completely fell apart.
Some fans may argue that the confusion and inconsistency behind the package is the primary reason why the Wilson-led offense fell flat, such as the awkward attempt to ice the game in fourth quarter.
With this in mind, should Smith be forced to dial back the designed runs for Fields? After all, the Pittsburgh Steelers face an extremely underrated Cincinnati Bengals team in Week 13 and could do without falling victim to another trap game.
