PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Following a couple of early three and outs, the Steelers offense went on enough of a run and the defense got a turnover at the end for a 23-18 win at Las Vegas. As Mike Tomlin said after, they were able to do enough to secure victory, moving to 2-1 on the year and tied for first in the AFC North.
Along with the points, Kenny Pickett would hit Allen Robinson on a roll out to his left with a key third-down conversion to nearly run out the clock. Corner Levi Wallace's second interception sealed the win along the sidelines with five seconds left.
Slow start for the offense again, but on the third position, trailing 7-0 after a fourth and 1 play-action touchdown pass from Jimmy Garoppolo to Davonte Adams, Steelers face a third-and-seven. Great protection from the offensive line and a major block by tailback Jaylen Warren on All-Pro Maxx Crosby gave Kenny Pickett enough time to hit Calvin Austin in stride for a 71-yard touchdown to tie the game.
A TJ Watt sack screwed up the Raiders next drive and then the Steelers got a break after a Vegas punt. First play there was miscommunication between Pickett and TE Connor Heyward and veteran Marcus Peters dropped an interception and probable Pick 6. It was the last Steelers punt for the next four possessions (except for the end of the first half).
Wallace would intercept Garoppolo and the Steelers would go eight plays leading to Chris Boswell field goal and the first Steelers lead at 10-7 in the second quarter. Then field goals on the next couple of Steelers possessions (including a 57-yarder) and following Patrick Peterson's first interception as a Steeler, and 35th of his career, the offense rolled on the ensuing possession. A Pickett throw to Pickens for 17 yards, Jaylen Warren reception for 16 yards, Pat Freiermuth for 14 yards, a Harris 17-yard run set up a return to Freiermuth for 13 yards for a touchdown. Steelers took, at the time, a commanding 23-7 lead.
It was arguably Pickett's most complete game, at least in a victory 16-28, 235 yards and two touchdowns. It's the first time that Pickett has thrown over 200 yards in a win without an interception. Also, the first time the Steelers second-year QB threw two touchdowns in a game.
Frustrated by the start of the season and teams loading up the line of scrimmage, Harris ran for 65 yards on 19 carries. Warren ran it eight times for 29 yards and caught three passes for 23 yards. Pickett even had a scramble for a first down.
It's also two consecutive games with 20-plus points, not something that will get KC fans excited, but progress for the Steelers. It's the first time the Steelers have had 20-plus points in consecutive wins since October of 2021.
Minkah Fitzpatrick led all players with 11 tackles. Watt finished with a pair of sacks, Markus Golden and Keeanu Benton also had sacks. Pressley Harvin had a second straight strong game averaging 53.8 yards per punt with three of the six inside the 20-yard line.
