The Pittsburgh Steelers got their second straight win with a 23-18 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. As usual, Steelers Nation represented well in Sin City. These were my thoughts as the game unfolded.
Offense
-What a ridiculous call by Matt Canada on third and short on the opening drive. Run Connor Heyward into the teeth of the defense.
-Kenny Pickett has many detractors but I see no way for anyone to question his toughness. Two of the best balls he threw early on were completions (one was on the TD to CAIII) when he was getting destroyed.
-George Pickens has the ability to control his body like few guys I’ve ever seen. The Steelers have to find more ways to get him the ball.
-Jaylen Warren right now is just a better option in my opinion. His explosiveness to the hole is way better than Najee Harris right now.
-If you are wondering why they don’t use Calvin Austin III more like they did on his TD catch it’s simple. Pickett doesn’t normally have that kind of time and when the running game isn’t there he DEFINITELY won’t have time.
-Mason Cole and the interior OL is just giving up too much ground especially in the running game. They’ve been better tonight but there’s much work to be done.
-Maxx Crosby is a handful and few blockers get through a game without giving up something to him.
Pat Freiermuth had the TD catch and a couple of other receptions which was great but I still don’t know why he and Darnell Washington aren’t getting more opporunities.
-What a nifty play design to fake the end around and then throw the little screen to Jaylen Warren.
-Up 16-7 and fresh off a pick by Patrick Peterson, Matt Canada called one of his best drives of his career mixing runs and play-action passes to perfection. It resulted in a TD throw to Pat Freiermuth and a 23-7 lead.
-Mike Tomlin and Matt Canada have to take the reins off of Kenny Pickett. He has to be able to audible out of certain things. There were several times tonight where the Raiders stacked the box and because Pickett couldn’t audible the run went nowhere.
Defense
-T.J. Watt got that first sack so quickly I think he beat the cameras to the QB. His second sack almost led to a TD for Demarvin Leal but Jimmy Garoppolo’s knee was down.
-Davante Adams is really good. Not sure we need to make him look this good though.
-Excellent job on two occasions by the officials tonight. Twice they picked up flags in situations where it was warranted. First was a pass interference call on Minkah Fitzpatrick and the second was a personal foul call on Cole Holcomb. Holcomb leveled Davante Adams on a vicious hit but it clean.
-Demarvin Leal had some really good snaps and was a key part of the unit that helped limit Josh Jacobs. Montravious Adams was unblockable at times and Keeanu Benton got his first career sack. Leal’s penalty for “leverage” late in the game on a field goal attempt was awful. He placed his hand down when he was already in the air.
-Props to Levi Wallace who was torched early and often by Adams but he collected an interception and had a key breakup on fourth down in the fourth quarter. He then added the clincher with a pick to end the game.
-Minkah Fitzpatrick’s penalty on his sack is yet another reason why people get so fed up with this game. Sure, he could have gone lower and speared Jimmy G right in the ribs but then what would we be talking about? May the Raiders should pickup the blitzer instead of being bailed out by the officials.
Special Teams
-Chris Boswell was a perfect 2 for 2 in the first half on his field goals. He nailed a 57-yarder in the second half too.
-Boswell also moved into second place on the Steelers’ all-time field goals made list.
-Pressley Harvin III had some fantastic punts and none were better than his final one which pinned the Raiders deep with just seconds remaining.
