Steelers-Falcons reaction: No need to rush Russell Wilson after Justin Fields' solid day?

North Shore Drive podcast - Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, Penguins and more

On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, Adam Bittner hosts in place of Christopher Carter and welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to react to the team's NFL Week 1 victory against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Specifically they analyze the quarterback situation. Did Justin Fields' solid outing after a shaky start give coach Mike Tomlin the latitude to let the injured Russell Wilson rest as long as necessary? Should Fields get a chance to keep the starting job even when Wilson is recovered? How much could the type of calf injury Wilson is dealing with affect him for the rest of the season? And how much did a rough day for receivers not named George Pickens contribute to the inability to make big plays and finish drives?

Our duo tackles those topics, then turns attention to the defense. Was the dominant effort in the victory more a reflection of how good this unit can be? Or how limited Atlanta's offense was with a hobbled Kirk Cousins? Were DeShon Elliott and Donte Jackson underrated offseason additions? And what's Minkah Fitzpatrick's potential now that he seems freer to roam around the defense?

The show ends with some talk about a rough Week 1 in the AFC North that saw the Cleveland Browns lose to Dallas, the Cincinnati Bengals fall to the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens drop a nail-biter to the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Who should be most concerned? And how much could an early division lead help the Steelers?