The Steelers’ defense looked very bad on the Raiders’ first offensive drive, and very good the rest of the way as they beat the Raiders on the road in Las Vegas, 29-13. In the end, it may have been the Steelers fans in the stands that made the biggest difference of all.
Najee Harris ran for 106 yards including a 36-yard touchdown, Justin Fields ran for 59 yards and two scores, leading a rushing game that piled up 183 yards. TJ Watt forced two punch-out fumbles, one inside the five-yard line, and the Raiders helped the Steelers out with two crucial roughing the passer penalties that kept scoring drives alive. The special teams contributed with a blocked punt by Jeremiah Moon, leading to a Chris Boswell field goal.
Coach Mike Tomlin says the Steelers did what they’re supposed to do.
Watt did not have a sack, but he forced the two fumbles and he swatted down a pass at the line of scrimmage. Tomlin says Watt always finds a way to impact a game.
Tomlin appreciated the running game taking control, led by Harris.
As the game ended, the coach turned and saluted the Steelers fans, who were so dominant in the stands they forced the home team into a silent count on offense. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that ticket broker Vivid Seats estimated that 56 percent of the crowd was rooting for the black and gold.
Defensive lineman Cam Heyward had a sack in the game. He said the Steelers took care of business.
Harris broke loose for the first time this season with punishing runs from the outset. He says the Steelers needed the win.
Linebacker Patrick Queen says the offense and defense feed off each other.
The most serious Steelers injury Sunday appeared to be center Zach Frazier’s sprained ankle. He left the game in the third quarter. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick injured a shoulder but returned to the game.
Checking the rest of the AFC North, the Ravens kept pace with the Steelers. Both teams are 4-2 after Baltimore’s 30-23 win over Washington. The Bengals are 2-4 after they topped the Giants 17-7. The Browns fell to 1-5 with a 20-16 loss to the Eagles.
Next up for the Steelers: two home night games against the two New York teams. They’ll play the Jets on Sunday night and the Giants on Monday, October 28th.
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