Justin Fields entered FedEx Field with only five career NFL wins and a plethora of scrutiny, including fans and analysts asking if he truly is capable of leading the Chicago Bears.
On Thursday in Washington D.C., Fields showed he was “oozing with talent” as NFL Network reporter Stacey Dales described it. And in the process, Fields silenced the critics with a dominating night over the Washington Commanders.
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Justin Fields Gains Supporters — ‘Don’t Let Anyone Tell You Fields Can’t Throw’
Fields, entering 5-24 overall as a starter, fired on all cylinders against the Commanders.
Right away, Fields hit 12 of 20 passing for 189 yards. His best stat? Three touchdown passes in the first half. And immediately, Fields supporters on X (formerly known as Twitter) demanded that there would be no slander of him on this night.
Pin Point Pass 🎯
Will not accept any Justin Fields slander. pic.twitter.com/mikBAexbrI
— Ohio St Football Fan Page (@OhioStFootball) October 6, 2023
Fields wasn’t through. He officially stuck the dagger in on this connection to his favorite receiver of the night DJ Moore.
Game. Set. Match.pic.twitter.com/s7ZRcnybqJ
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 6, 2023
One former NFL quarterback who took a liking to Fields’ toss was ex-Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, who also sent a message involving Fields.
MORE: QB Power Rankings 2023
“The BALL PLACEMENT on that throw by Justin Fields was perfect. Don’t let anyone tell you Fields can’t throw,” Griffin III posted on X.
The BALL PLACEMENT on that throw by Justin Fields was perfect. Don’t let anyone tell you Fields can’t throw.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) October 6, 2023
One other analyst raved about Fields: Amazon Prime’s Tony Gonzalez, who said postgame, “I’m glad Justin Fields had this kind of game today.”
What Were Fields’ Final Numbers? Is Fields Also a League Leader Now?
Fields ended his night throwing 15 of 29 passes for 282 yards and four touchdowns.
For all the criticism Fields has received, Fields now has this claim: He’s tied for the NFL lead in one pivotal category.
Justin Fields 11 passing TDs this season are tied for the most in the NFL
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) October 6, 2023
Fields now joins NFC North rival Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins as the only quarterbacks to have flung 11 touchdowns this season. And, in his last two games, Fields had tossed back-to-back four TDs and combined for nearly 700 yards (he threw 335 against the Denver Broncos on Sunday).
Per Next Gen Stats, Fields joined Cousins and fellow NFC North QB Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions as the only passers to throw short, intermediate, and deep touchdowns in consecutive weeks.
Fields now has his sixth career NFL win. But this one was arguably his most emotional with the Bears starting 0-4 and Fields being criticized for calling out the coaching staff, which he retracted during the week leading up to the Kansas City Chiefs Week 3 contest.
For all the criticism he received, Fields posted the kind of performance that silenced his haters.