BALTIMORE — It didn’t take long for Justin Fields to make his NFL playoff debut.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ change-of-pace quarterback, Fields checked in for the third snap from scrimmage of Saturday night’s wild-card round game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Fields, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith spent the week playing coy about whether Fields would have a significant role in the offense. The starter for the Steelers’ first six games this season, Fields had played 13 snaps over five appearances since then.
But Fields did not play in the final three games of the regular season after suffering an abdominal injury in a Dec. 15 loss at the Philadelphia Eagles. Fields returned to the role as the No. 2 QB during last week’s regular-season finale but did not play.
Fields served as a decoy during his first action Saturday in Baltimore, handing off to Jaylen Warren on a third-and-1 from the Steelers’ 29 less than 2 minutes into the game. Warren picked up the first down.
It was only the sixth play Fields has played while coming off the bench for the Steelers in which he did not have a carry (seven for 50 yards) or a passing attempt.
Despite playing sparingly after Week 6, Fields’ five rushing touchdowns finished a close second on the Steelers behind Najee Harris’ six.
Fields came in on a first-down snap in the Steelers’ final drive of the first half. Pressured and scrambling, he threw the ball away.
(Worst) quarter
When the first quarter expired Saturday, the Steelers were trailing 7-0, had been outgained 128-27 and had only one first down compared to the Ravens’ seven.
Believe it or not, that was actually one of the best postseason first quarters the Steelers have played in recent years.
Including Saturday, the Steelers have been outscored an aggregate 73-0 in the first quarters of their past six playoff games. And dating to the final four games of the regular season, the Steelers have been outscored 47-3 in their past five games overall.
Curiously, no George
Coming off a game in which he had 0 receiving yards, Steelers No. 1 wide receiver George Pickens was not targeted with a pass until about 6 minutes had elapsed Saturday.
Pickens caught an 8-yard pass on a first down with 4 minutes and 2 seconds left in the second quarter.
Four snaps later, Pickens caught a pass for what appeared to be a long gain … but he was called for offensive pass interference.
Only 12 NFL wide receivers had more penalties enforced against them during the regular season than Pickens. But Pickens had not been flagged for OPI since Week 1.
