DENVER — The Pittsburgh Steelers got another promising start from quarterback Justin Fields and the defense was nearly perfect in a 13-3 victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
Fields, making his second start with the Steelers in place of injured Russell Wilson, built on a solid first outing last week against the Falcons, competing 13 of 20 for 117 yards and one touchdown for a 97.3 passer rating.
For the second week in a row, Fields did not turn the football over, and he lead the offensive into the end zone this week after settling for six field goals in Week 1 against the Falcons.
The lone end zone trip occurred on the Steelers’ second offensive drive of the game, when Fields directed a 12-play, 73-yard effort that ended with a nifty pass to Darnell Washington on the left side of the end zone.
The connection was Fields’ first touchdown pass with the Steelers and it was the first touchdown reception of Washington’s career.
The Steelers never got back into the end zone, mostly of their own accord. The Steelers were penalized 10 time for 78 yards in the game, with two of them costing the club points.
Broderick Jones was called for holding, negating a 49-yard completion from Fields to George Pickens. That was part of an ugly series for Jones, who did not start in the game. Troy Fautanu, back from a knee injury, made his first career start at right tackle, but gave way to Jones on the third offensive drive.
Jones was called for a false start and two holding penalties on the drive, the second one eliminating the big play to Pickens, before he was benched for Fautanu and did not return to the game.
That Jones penalty cost the team at least three points — they’d have had first and goal at the 6-yard line. Later in the first, a Van Jefferson offensive pass interference penalty wiped out a Fields to Pickens touchdown.
The Steelers got a Chris Boswell field goal out of that drive and another in the third quarter. The Broncos, meanwhile, didn’t find the scoreboard until the fourth quarter. Will Lutz kicked a couple of field goals to close the gap to a touchdown.
The Pittsburgh defense was dominant all day, and they sealed the win with an interception by Damontae Kazee in the final second.
Rookie quarterback Bo Nix finished 19 of 33 for 231 yards, but his interception in the back of the end zone by Cory Trice proved to be a huge play in the game.
The Broncos could not run the ball at all against Pittsburgh, with Javonte Williams finishing with 17 yards on 11 carries. Najee Harris led the Steelers rushing attack with 69 yards on 17 carries.
The 2-0 Steelers are alone in first place in the AFC North. They’ll return to Pittsburgh for their home opener against the Los Angeles Chargers next Sunday.
