This game was super interesting coming into it for several reasons. But the biggest by far was just how much of a mirror image these two teams were of one another.
Both teams are1-1, looking for a big win. Both teams have suffered a blowout loss this season. Both teams have struggled mightily to get the running game going. And both teams have a lot of good pieces on offense, it’s just a matter of making it all click.
Pittsburgh was coming into this with their offense perhaps even more of a close eye on their offense, if that was even possible. Reporting from Jordan Schultz stated that the Steelers were moving Matt Canada into a “more prominent role” on the offense moving forward, one that involved him still reportedly calling plays, but also working daily with QB Kenny Pickett.
Whether that is a sign that the Steelers, sickly, still believe in Matt Canada, or whether that’s a smoke screen for slowly easing Canada’s awfulness out of the offense without outright firing him, is yet to be seen.
But either way, it was another pivotal game for Pickett and the offense.
And predictably, the Steelers offense got off to an incredibly slow start. On their opening drive of the game, Matt Canada (maybe) dials up a run heavy attack that sees the Steelers go three-and-out, because it isn’t Pittsburgh Steeler football without starting one of those.
The Steelers defense, meanwhile, is able to hold their own early on, forcing a Vegas punt.
But, little does it matter; the Steelers offense returns the favor and punts right back. The running game is still struggling, and Pickett still looks shaky.
The Steelers defense, this time, can’t stick with it, giving up a touchdown to Jimmy G and the Raiders, who rolled the dice and watched their bet pay off on a fourth and inches play.
This drive was full of concerning plays, including some shaky play by both Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace, helping give the Raiders an early 7-0 lead. Both players, however, would redeem themselves.
It’s looking like we could be in for another rough night, even as the stadium suffered an invasion from Terrible Towers.
But, somehow, in the neon lights of Vegas, Kenny Pickett finds pure magic.
Pickett finds a wide open Calvin Austin for a deep shot that leads to a touchdown.
And this was the beginning of it all. This was the dream.
The Steelers offense would come alive in this game, in a way we had never yet seen so far this regular season. Kenny is completing passes! Warren is running up a storm!! Pickens, Allen, Austin are getting open and getting targets!!! And Pat Freiermuth exists, and is catching balls too!!!!
The Steelers are ALIVE!!!!!
And better yet, they keep getting chances to show their growth. Interceptions by both Wallace and Peterson help limit the Raiders attack and give Pickett and his team more chances on the field.
A few field goals later and the Steelers are back in the endzone, this time to the sound of “MUUUUTH” as Pat hauls one into the endzone.
And amidst all of the action and excitement, Kenny Pickett looks like Kenny Pickett.
He looks calm, cool, collected, and most importantly, he looks confident. I don’t think there’s a single moment in the first two weeks of the year.
This was the prophecy that the preseason had promised us. This was the Kenny Pickett that was going to lead us to the promise land.
Maybe Canada really was moved out of the play calling position, because it’s incredibly hard to imagine that THIS is what he could provide.
Pickett finished the day 16/28 for 235 yards and 2 touchdowns. Sure, his completion percentage wasn’t the highest, but this game felt different. You cannot overstate how important this kind of a game was for Kenny.
It was the first multi throwing touchdown game of his NFL career.
He needed this, the offense needed this, the whole team really, really needed this.
But then, disaster strikes. Just as the offense is experiencing a renaissance, the defense is beginning to collapse.
The Raiders march down the field, and after a horrible roughing the passer call against Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Raiders slam home a touchdown (and conversion) to make it a 23-15 game.
And after a three and out by the offense, the Raiders start another threatening drive. They needed a touchdown no matter what, down by 8, but on a fourth down near the endzone, Vegas opts for a field goal instead of a go-for-it gamble.
It’s certainly a decision that will be looked at more in further postgame analysis, especially over in Vegas.
The Steelers offense returns to the field, and try their best to bleed the clock dry and seal the game. In the end, they were able to run the clock down to around 20 seconds before they were forced to punt.
Pressley Harvin delivered big, saving his best punt of the night for when the Steelers needed it most.
With just mere seconds in the game, Jimmy G and the Raiders offense steps back out with a desperate hope to string together yards for a win.
But Levi Wallace was having none of it, intercepting Garoppolo for the second time on the night to call game.
In typical Steelers fashion, a win is never easy. This game was 23-7 and ended 23-18, but this was a huge win for the Steelers, and fans can rejoice in an offense that finally looks competent.
More thoughts down below:
-The Steelers do need to clean up some of the three-and-outs still. It’s not perfect, there’s some work still left to do. But today, let’s just celebrate the win
-That Minkah roughing the passer call was BAD. Absolutely a blown call that directly led to a touchdown
-How different would this game have been if the Raiders don’t kick the field goal and go for it instead? They needed a TD anyway, what’s the harm in trying it?
–Odd stat of the game: The Steelers beat the Raiders on the road for the first time since 1995. They were 0-4 in their attempts since that 1995 game.
(Featured photo from Yahoo Sports)
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