Shout out to the defensive line, and specifically Cam Heyward. He played a solid game, recorded 3 solo tackles and 2 TFLs, and was on the field for 74% of the defensive snaps. Cam has returned to being the main cog in the DL rotation, along with Ogunjobi (70%) and Benton (57%). Props also to Loudermilk, who put up 2 solo tackles in only 9 snaps (20%). I thought Heyward was done after his abysmal performance last season, but he is healthy again and has proven me very wrong thus far. Great to see.
Regarding the penalties, it certainly was refreshing to watch the other team committing stupid personal foul penalties instead of the Steelers. But those two illegal formation calls were just inexcusable. It's Football 101 that you need to have 7 guys on the line of scrimmage -- how can they get it wrong twice in the same quarter? Somebody (namely the coaches or Fields) has to recognize that before it happens. Otherwise, great job with the only other foul being a rarely-called "delay of game" on Benton.
Perhaps Fields is starting to make believers out of some of his skeptics. He has a 91.9 or higher passer rating in all three games as a Steeler, and a string of five such performances going back to last season. They point out his poor record as a starter, yet he's now 7-2 in his last nine games. Yes, the Steelers only put up 20 on the scoreboard yesterday, but it was about to be 27 if the game wasn't already won, and done so without the benefit of any Chargers turnovers. Fields is building confidence with the coaches, and vice-versa. I hope Tomlin sticks with him even if/when Russ becomes available.
