In a thrilling Sunday night showdown at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the Pittsburgh Steelers proved their mettle with a resounding 23-18 victory over the home team, the Las Vegas Raiders. This impressive win marked a significant turnaround for the Steelers, who had been grappling with offensive challenges in their initial two games of the season.
The Steelers ventured to Las Vegas with determination and purpose, making it abundantly clear that this was a business trip rather than a leisurely escape. Playing in front of a notably pro-Steelers crowd, they delivered a performance that left fans and experts alike applauding their resilience and playmaking abilities.
Kenny Pickett, who had struggled with just two touchdown passes and three interceptions in the early part of the season, had a breakthrough game. He posted the first multi-touchdown pass game of his young career, throwing two touchdown passes to Calvin Austin III and Pat Freiermuth while amassing an impressive 235 passing yards.
“I was proud of the efforts and the playmaking,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “We did what we needed to do to secure a victory. It’s still very early stages of the year. We have a lot to learn and a lot to teach, but it’s good to do so with the victory.”
Pickett himself reflected on the game, stating, “It’s never going to be perfect. There are always things that I’m going to want to improve on and get back to the drawing board. But I think it’s a great step for us as a team to come on the road, back-to-back primetime wins.”
The game began with a punch-counterpunch dynamic, as both teams vied for supremacy. The Raiders forced the Steelers to go three-and-out on their first two possessions and then took the lead with a 32-yard touchdown pass from Jimmy Garoppolo to Devante Adams on a fourth-and-inches play-action.
However, the Steelers responded swiftly, with Pickett connecting with Calvin Austin III for a spectacular 72-yard touchdown pass, tying the game at 7-7. This touchdown was the longest of the season for the Steelers, showcasing their big-play potential.
The Steelers’ defense played a pivotal role, with Levi Wallace intercepting Garoppolo in the second quarter, setting the stage for a Chris Boswell field goal that gave the Steelers a 10-7 lead. They extended their lead with another Boswell field goal, making it 13-7 as the first half drew to a close.
The second half saw the Steelers continue to dominate. Pickett’s connection with George Pickens paved the way for a 57-yard field goal by Boswell, extending the Steelers’ lead to 16-7. The defense, led by T.J. Watt, continued to stifle the Raiders, with Watt recording his second sack of the game and an interception by Patrick Peterson.
With an 81-yard drive, the Steelers sealed the victory, culminating in a 13-yard touchdown pass from Pickett to Freiermuth, giving them a commanding 23-7 lead. The Raiders made a late push, driving 80 yards for a Garoppolo-to-Adams touchdown and a two-point conversion to cut the lead to 23-15.
The Steelers, however, showed resilience and clock management, securing the win with a tenacious defensive effort in the closing minutes. Two interceptions by Levi Wallace put the game out of reach for the Raiders, preserving the Steelers’ hard-fought victory.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ business trip to Las Vegas proved to be a successful endeavor. They showcased their offensive prowess and displayed a tenacious defense, earning a well-deserved victory in a game filled with dramatic moments and pivotal plays. This win sends a strong message to the NFL, solidifying the Steelers as a force to be reckoned with in the 2023 season.