Thunder And Lightning Fuel Steelers To Huge Win On TNF
Despite Kenny Pickett marching the Pittsburgh Steelers down the field, ending in a Najee Harris touchdown, the Steelers offense went silent from there on out in the first half. Pickett missed badly a couple of times, but the Steelers hung around entering the second half. To start the second half, the Steelers did a good job of keeping it simple, running the ball well with quick, easy throws between. With the game dwindling, Pickett did what Pickett does.
Although he’s been bad the last couple of weeks, Pickett found a way to get the Steelers down the field at the end of the game and find Diontae Johnson for a game-winning touchdown. Johnson’s first-ever touchdown pass from Pickett. His last one was from Big Ben, insane. The ball was now in the defense court, exactly what Mike Tomlin and the Steelers wanted.
Thunder And Lightning Struck Early And Often
The Steelers running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren played great on Thursday night, maybe their best games of the season. Warren led the way with 88 rushing yards on 11 attempts, averaging eight yards a carry and three catches for 25 yards. He was the Steelers leading rusher and ended the night with the second most receiving yards among Steelers. Harris finished with 69 yards on 16 attempts, a rushing touchdown, and two catches for seven yards.
If the Steelers can continue to grow those numbers running the ball, life could get a lot easier for Pickett and the passing game. Pickett finished 19/30 with 160 yards and a touchdown. A weak showing, but a win nonetheless. One has to imagine the ribs are still bothering him. The mini-bye should give him a chance to get healthier. Don’t give up on this kid yet. Getting the run game active often and early should open the passing game up. Matt Canada called a decent game in his first time down on the sideline. Time for Pickett to do his part.
Steelers Defense Bends, Not Breaks
Despite taking a lot of flags that let the Titans hang around, the Steelers defense stood up when it mattered and Kwon Alexander put the cherry on top when he sealed the game with an interception in the red zone. Unfortunately, the Steelers might not have Cole Holcomb’s services for the rest of the season, hoping for a speedy recovery there.
When Renegade played with about 12 minutes left to play at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, the Steelers defense got the stop that put the ball back in Pickett’s hands, and the rest was history. TJ Watt got credit for two solo tackles, a tackle for loss, and a sack. Alex Highsmith had two solos, two tackles for loss, and a sack as well. Cam Heyward played for the first time since his week one injury and he made six total tackles with four being solo. He also had a big tackle for loss to end the third quarter. Elandon Roberts stepped up big in Holcomb’s absence too, leading the Steelers in tackles with nine, four being solo.
Big Win For Pittsburgh
Even though it’s felt ugly, the Steelers now sit at 5-3. Somehow. This is the typical Steelers though, win a bunch of games people don’t expect you to, but hopefully, this team will be able to make something happen come playoff time. Steelers fans are starving for it. It might not seem like much right now, but the win on Thursday Night Football is huge for the Steelers. Hopefully, they get Minkah Fitzpatrick back sooner than later considering he hasn’t been placed on the Injured Reserve yet. Green Bay rolls into Pittsburgh next week before the Steelers Ohio road trip where they go to Cleveland and Cincinnati for two huge divisional matchups. Buckle up Steelers fans.
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