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Steel City Underground presents our 2024 Steelers Recall: a look back at Pittsburgh Steelers games and storylines from last season.
Steelers fans felt a sense of trepidation heading into Week 6 of the 2024 NFL season, as the Pittsburgh Steelers faced the Las Vegas Raiders on the road with numerous injuries forcing difficult roster decisions. There was also concern about the team potentially playing down to an opponent they should have been able to handle.
That’s due to back-to-back losses to the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys heading into this encounter. The 2-3 Raiders were slight underdogs at -3.0 according to https://pistolo-hu-casino.com, despite playing at home with a backup quarterback.
Fortunately, the Steelers found their rhythm as the game progressed. While they didn’t have a perfect performance in Las Vegas, their elevated team play resulted in a significant victory.
The first thing that stood out in this game was the fans – and not the Raiders fans. Despite it being a home game, Steelers Nation traveled en masse to Las Vegas, even prompting head coach Mike Tomlin to acknowledge their presence first during his postgame press conference:
I think the first thing that needs to be said, taken aback by the support we got from our fans, Steeler Nation. You know, continually, man, they show up. I just thought it was awesome; the environment for a road venue was special. It was special to be a part of.
For those who weren’t at the game but watched from home on television, the presence of Steelers Nation couldn’t go unnoticed, especially late in the game.
If you didn’t know better, you would have thought this was @AcrisureStadium !!
This might be one of the biggest instances of @Steelers fans taking over a stadium and affecting a play pic.twitter.com/LXVjW7QTGC
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) October 14, 2024
For the first time during the 2024 season the Pittsburgh Steelers scored 30 or more points in a game, laying 32 on the Raiders. A 30+ point game used to be a unicorn for this franchise, particularly under former offensive coordinator Matt Canada. The Steelers only had two games with 30+ points in 2023, both following Canada’s firing in Weeks 16 and 17. They only had one such game in both 2021 and and 2022 after topping 36+ four times back in the 2020 season.
To see this happen, with all offensive scores, was a pleasant surprise. Quarterback Justin Fields worked as the pit boss, managing the offense with the help of his group of wheelers and dealers across the board, T.J. Watt acted as enforcer on defense. Both had complimentary play from their teammates; that work-together mentality helped shape their efforts into a much-needed and deserved win.
After they allowed the Raiders to exert their will in Vegas’ opening series, giving away six first down conversions in a row that led to a touchdown, the Steelers defense stood its ground. Collectively, they allowed just three first downs, total, on the next six Raiders offensive possessions. By cutting off the lanes for Alexander Mattison and doubling-up to defend tight end Brock Bowers, Pittsburgh forced the Raiders to send in more pass plays to quarterback Aidan O’Connell. That one-dimension look created opportunities that the Steelers took advantage of.
Chris Boswell opened the scoring with a 52-yard field goal, then added a 49-yarder early in the second quarter. The Steelers finally pulled ahead with a touchdown drive before halftime, and finished off other possessions leaving Boswell with two shorter opportunities that he converted from from 37 and 36 yards.
It’s worth noting that Boswell had 12 of the Steelers 32 points. Perhaps that’s not surprising on most weeks, but in this big win Boswell’s major contribution was a surprising afterthought.
While the defense shut the door on the Raiders. Najee Harris slid the deadbolt home. Harris, carrying the load despite Jaylen Warren’s greatly-welcomed return from injury, finally had his “statement game” of 2024. On 14 carries, Harris rushed for 106 yards: a 7.6 average. Harris was the first, and only, player on the roster other than Justin Fields to have a rushing touchdown through six games.
Harris’ 36-yard touchdown blast went into the books at the Steelers’ longest offensive play of the game, but it was also his first trip into the end zone for a score this season. The win was also Harris’ first 100-yard game of the season.
While T.J. Watt is often recognized for his exceptional edge rushing and sack ability, his performance against Las Vegas demonstrated a more comprehensive impact. Despite not recording a sack in the game, Watt forced two pivotal fumbles, both of which resulted in crucial turnovers for the Steelers offense.
Watt’s first forced fumble occurred at the Raiders’ 30-yard line with just over two minutes remaining before halftime. The subsequent drive culminated in the Steelers’ first touchdown, giving them a lead they maintained for the rest of the game. (Jeremiah Moon – who played outside linebacker opposite Watt – earned a punt block that set up a touchdown as well.)
Watt’s second forced fumble took place on the second play of the fourth quarter. As the Raiders were on their ninth play of a 74-yard, five-minute drive, facing a 3rd-and-goal from the Steelers’ one-yard line, Watt stripped the ball from Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah. Steelers safety DeShon Elliott recovered the fumble.
Although the Steelers’ offense did not directly convert this turnover into points, the play allowed them to move the ball to midfield. A Corliss Waitman punt then pinned the Raiders back at their 13-yard line. Cameron Heyward’s sack and Donte Jackson’s interception further disrupted the Raiders’ subsequent drive. Ultimately, Justin Fields scored on a one-yard run, extending Pittsburgh’s lead to 29-13 and effectively sealing the victory—all stemming from Watt’s momentum-shifting plays.
The Steelers’ ability to take an early lead and never relinquish it was a significant positive for the team, improving their season record to 4-2. Their next challenge would be a primetime matchup against Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets. The Steelers were also anticipating the return of Russell Wilson for Week 7. Stay tuned for our “Recall” series as we revisit that game in our next column.
2024 Steelers Season Recall: Losing streak snapped against Las Vegas appeared first on Steel City Underground.