The Pittsburgh Steelers cruised to a 32-13 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday night, thanks to Najee Harris’ first 100-yard rushing game of the season. Harris, who had struggled in the early part of the year, exploded for 112 yards on 23 carries, giving the Steelers‘ offense the ground presence it had been lacking.
Aidan O’Connell’s Tough Debut
For the Raiders, rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell made his first start of 2024, but it turned out to be a difficult debut. The young QB completed 21 of 39 passes for 178 yards and one touchdown but was hampered by turnovers and mistakes, including two interceptions and a costly fumble in the third quarter. Despite moments of promise, O’Connell’s inexperience was evident as the Steelers’ defense consistently pressured him throughout the game.
Player Stats Highlights
In addition to Harris‘ standout performance, Steelers QB Kenny Pickett was efficient, throwing for 221 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. Wide receiver Diontae Johnson added 75 yards on six receptions, while tight end Pat Freiermuth hauled in a touchdown pass.
On the Raiders‘ side, wide receiver Davante Adams was O’Connell’s primary target, catching eight passes for 92 yards and a late touchdown. However, the team’s ground game struggled, with running back Josh Jacobs limited to just 43 yards on 15 carries.
Key Moments
The game saw a comedy of errors from the Raiders, including multiple penalties that killed potential scoring drives. O’Connell’s turnovers also gave the Steelers excellent field position, leading to easy points for Pittsburgh.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin praised his team’s effort, particularly on defense. “We made plays when we needed to, and it all started with stopping the run and forcing them into mistakes,” Tomlin said in his post-game press conference.
Where to Watch
Fans can rewatch the game highlights on NFL Network or stream it on platforms like ESPN or NBC Sports. Local radio stations like WDVE-FM carried live commentary for the Steelers, while Las Vegas Raiders fans could tune in to KOMP 92.3.
Looking Ahead
With this win, the Steelers improve to 4-2 on the season, moving them up in the AFC North standings. Their next game is against the Cleveland Browns as part of their challenging schedule ahead. The Raiders, now 2-4, will look to bounce back next week when they take on the Kansas City Chiefs under interim head coach Antonio Pierce.
Prediction Recap
Coming into the game, many predicted a close contest, but the Steelers’ dominant performance on both sides of the ball helped them exceed expectations. Chris Simms, who had predicted a narrow Steelers win, noted post-game that the Steelers “looked more complete on offense than we’ve seen all year.”