Following another week marked by sluggish starts, missed opportunities, and a poor running game, Pittsburgh Steelers QB Justin Fields expressed his frustration.
While he remained composed during the postgame press conference, Fields admitted it was difficult not only to lose but to fall the way the Steelers did in a 20-17 defeat to the Dallas Cowboys at home during primetime.
“It’s definitely frustrating,” Fields said through the team’s website. “But it’s really on us, to be honest with you.”
The Steelers continued to make errors and lacked attention to detail. Despite only one turnover coming on the game’s final play, they missed key passes to TE Connor Heyward and WR Van Jefferson, struggled on third downs (3-of-12), and their running game averaged just 3.5 yards per carry against a Cowboys defense ranked among the worst in defending the run.
Although Dallas had more penalties, Pittsburgh was flagged eight times, something Fields noted as part of the Steelers’ ongoing self-inflicted issues.
“Penalties make it tough, especially when you’re in third-and-manageable, third-and-short. We get penalties and then face third-and-10 or worse, which obviously makes it harder… The recurring theme is us shooting ourselves in the foot with penalties, false starts, and so on. It all comes down to execution.”
The Steelers had trouble sustaining drives and couldn’t generate explosive plays. Their longest gain from scrimmage was just 21 yards, and their longest rush went for only 8 yards, a run by Fields himself. RB Najee Harris couldn’t break through beyond the second level, averaging just 3 yards per carry with a longest run of -yards on 14 attempts.
One of the most significant missed opportunities came after DL Isaiahh Loudermilk blocked a field goal, preserving Pittsburgh’s 10-6 lead. Fields connected with Harris on a 20-yard screen pass to the Steelers’ 47-yard line. However, Fields threw an incomplete pass on first down, hit WR Calvin Austin III for 6 yards on second down, and then WR George Pickens dropped a pass on 3rd-and-4, forcing a Steelers punt.
Dallas responded with a 16-play drive that ended in a touchdown, taking the lead.
With their first losing streak of the season, the Steelers need to regroup quickly before their Week 6 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. While the Raiders are struggling, so are the Steelers, and a third consecutive loss would erase Pittsburgh’s early-season momentum.
