Steelers/NFL
Steelers 32 – 
Raiders 13(F)
1st Down: The biggest takeaway from the Steelers 32-13 win over the hapless Las Vegas Raiders will be how does Mike Tomlin truly evaluate this one when it comes to a quarterback decision vs the Jets. Tomlin talked like a coach afterwards who acted like the Steelers just steamrolled the Kansas City Chiefs. “We were playing the style of ball that we desired to play,” Tomlin said. Led by Najee Harris 106 rushing yards and a bully ball brand of runs, Pittsburgh gashed the Raiders for 183 yards on the ground, averaging 5.3 yards per rush. The Tomlin caveat of all he lives by was Pittsburgh forcing three turnovers, two T.J. Watt forced fumbles. Pittsburgh scored 30+ points for just the second time November 2021, will that have significant weight towards sticking with Fields?
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2nd Down: On Justin Fields, the hot takes are already something on he was evaluated in this one. The telecast acted like it was a 5 touchdown, 300+ yard passing game with a 158.3 QB rating from Fields. The dynamic running ability is special as Fields totaled 59 rushing yards on 11 carries and two rushing TD’s. Everyone knew coming in Fields is the best as there is when he comes as a running QB. The passing game right now, though, is to be blunt ‘Kenny Pickett’ type ball and why as young as Fields is he was available for just a late round pick. But, Mike Tomlin loves these types of games so after opting against having an out on Fields with two straight losses, it’s anyone’s guess where the QB decision goes vs the Jets. Fields was 14 of 24 for 145 yards vs the Raiders in a pedestrian outing. Pittsburgh was 4 of 13 on third downs and in reality, 4 of 15 as two roughing the passer penalties negated a redzone interception and a failed third down conversation. If the INT doesn’t get wiped out, there’s a chance Russell Wilson is in for the start of the second half. That’s how pedestrian Fields was throwing the ball in the first half and he wasn’t much better in the second half with his arm. His legs, though, just cover up a lot of warts as a passer. Despite Russell Wilson being viewed by Tomlin as the guy who has the highest ceiling for this season, it’s easy to see Tomlin falling into the trap that the Steelers can get away with this type of passing game.
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3rd Down: Beast Mode T.J. Watt | Two forced fumbles from Watt with his head coach calling him ‘amazing’ afterwards. Pittsburgh scored 17 points off turnovers in the victory. This man is going to go down as one if not the Steelers greatest defensive player ever. It just remains fascinating to this point they’ve never won a playoff game yet with Watt…….
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4th Down: Beast Mode 2.0 – Najee Harris | 106 yards on just 14 carries, Harris doubled his season average of 3.3 yards per carry to averaging 7.6 yards vs the Raiders. It felt like Harris had 70 yards after contact, that’s how good he was. Harris had a bruising run of 15 yards in the second quarter, a nifty 26 yard run in the third quarter than capped it off with a 36-yard scamper to the end zone to push the Steelers lead to 22-7. Probably the best run of his career.
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Under the Radar Storylines
Cam Heyward Fountain of Youth? What a season the Steelers are getting from Heyward……….Pat Freiermuth game is not taking off from a receiving standpoint, (just 2 rec – 16 yards vs Raiders) with Fields under center but he had some beast mode moments in the blocking department………Patrick Queen 13 total tackles and his best game as a Steeler. Fast/aggressive and getting to the ball carrier……….
