Key takeaways and standout performances from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, highlighting both successful players and those who struggled.
Here’s a paraphrase of the text:
In Las Vegas, the Pittsburgh Steelers dominated the Raiders with a 32-13 victory. The Steelers’ defense was outstanding, and special teams made impactful plays, though the offense struggled. However, the run game had its most efficient performance of the season.
Let’s break down the winners and losers from the game.
Winner: Najee Harris
Najee Harris delivered his best performance of the season. He scored his second-longest career touchdown with a remarkable effort on a toss play, extending into the end zone. Harris accumulated hidden yardage throughout the game and finished with a career-high 63 rushing yards above expectations. After a rough start behind a struggling offensive line, Harris emerged as the standout player on Pittsburgh’s offense.
**Loser: Broderick Jones**
Broderick Jones continued to face challenges. In one instance, he missed the play call, allowing Maxx Crosby to easily get past him. Although Justin Fields salvaged the play, Jones struggled with assignments and consistency. The Steelers will need more progress from their second-year tackle in the coming weeks to feel optimistic about his development.
Winner: T.J. Watt
T.J. Watt, as always, was exceptional. His influence on the rush lanes opened up opportunities for teammates like Cam Heyward. Watt’s two forced fumbles were game-changers, highlighting his knack for making timely, decisive plays. He was the biggest winner from this matchup, consistently showing why he’s one of the NFL’s top defensive players.
Loser: Justin Fields
Although Justin Fields scored two rushing touchdowns and made some off-script plays, he also had a poor performance. He threw a bad interception, though it was negated by a penalty, and struggled with his decision-making. His legs have bailed the Steelers out at times, but his processing issues continued to hold him back. This was one of his worst showings after a disappointing outing against Dallas.
Winner: Patrick Queen
The Steelers had been waiting for Patrick Queen to make an impact, and he finally delivered. Queen played his best game with the team, excelling against both the run and short passes. Even after hyperextending his knee, Queen made a critical play on the goal line, contributing to a fumble forced by Watt. The Steelers’ defense needed Queen to step up, and he did so in a big way.
Loser: George Pickens
George Pickens has been struggling in recent games, catching just six of his last 15 targets. When given opportunities in this game, he failed to make crucial catches for his quarterback. Although he showed some improvement late in the game, his unexpected drop issues need to be resolved, as Pickens is typically known for his strong hands and is Pittsburgh’s top wide receiver.
