Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances: T.J. Watt sparkles, offense improves as Steelers come out ahead in Las Vegas

I wouldn’t say that the Pittsburgh Steelers went to Las Vegas and hit the jackpot. But they didn’t go home broke.

And given their history of going bankrupt whenever they traveled to face the Raiders when they were in Oakland, scratching out a gutty win is profit enough.

Indeed, if the Steelers are to become a team that makes the postseason and finally ends this six-year drought of failing to win a playoff game, they’ll still have to perform much better than they did Sunday night. But, given how sketchy they’ve been — particularly on offense — during the first two weeks, their 23-18 win Sunday probably feels like hitting blackjack.

Here’s this week’s “Feats of Strength” and “Airing of Grievances” as the Steelers improve to 2-1.

Feats of Strength

Signs of hope

It’s not like the Steelers were re-creating the “Greatest Show on Turf” Rams, but their much-maligned offense actually looked (to borrow a Tomlinism) “varsity” at times as Sunday night’s game rolled along.

After some early three-and-outs and yet another lucky interception drop, Matt Canada’s offense developed some rhythm in the second and third quarters.

For the first time in his career, quarterback Kenny Pickett managed to complete two touchdown passes in the same game — one to Pat Freiermuth and one to Calvin Austin. His passer rating of 108.5 was the highest of his career.

The Steelers held the ball for 30:03, winning the time of possession battle for the first time this season. Plus, George Pickens had some yards after catch again, a pleasant change from last year.

Most importantly, the Steelers got a key first down when they needed one the most. Down eight with just over two minutes to go, Raiders coach Josh McDaniels essentially bet the house that the Steelers wouldn’t be able to get a first down. So he elected to kick a field goal, presuming his offense would get the ball back one more time. However, the Steelers were able to convert on two runs with Najee Harris and then a short pass to Allen Robinson II.

They did eventually have to punt the ball back to Las Vegas, but with only 23 seconds left on the clock.

Watt weighs in

T.J. Watt stayed hot despite facing an offensive tackle who had been on a roll lately himself.

The Raiders hadn’t allowed a sack in the previous two games. Specifically, Vegas right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor hadn’t allowed a pressure in 106 pass-blocking snaps dating back to Week 18 of last season.

Watt was active all night on the other side of the line from him, though. The star outside linebacker ended up with two sacks and three QB hits. He also had a pressure on Levi Wallace’s first-half interception.

.@Steelers INT! Great pressure by Levi Wallace

: #PITvsLV on NBC
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/oKZBIH1Rly pic.twitter.com/LThr9gwI7t

— NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2023

Watt’s six sacks lead the NFL. The Steelers ended up with four sacks as a team.

Boz was big

Steelers place kicker Chris Boswell delivered a big contribution. He made field goals of 43, 42 and 57 yards.

The 57-yarder was a bomb and extended the Steelers lead to 16-7.

Chris Boswell hits a perfect 57-yard FG, right down the middle

: #PITvsLV on NBC
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/oKZBIH1Rly pic.twitter.com/J7lKkU9Wa7

— NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2023

Boswell has made all eight of his place kicks this year. He now has the second-most field goals (207) in Steelers history and the five longest field goals in team history. That 57-yarder was third-longest ever by a Steelers kicker.

Also, a tip of the cap to Pressley Harvin for blasting a 56-yard punt with 23 seconds left to ostensibly ice the game. It made up for a below-average punt on his previous attempt.

‘Cole’ train

The Steelers’ revamped inside linebacking core appears to be catching on, Cole Holcomb in particular.

Holcomb had eight tackles and a forced fumble last week against Cleveland. On Sunday, Holcomb finished with five tackles, one for loss, and had a pass breakup. He also had a devastating (and clean) hit on Davante Adams over the middle in the third quarter.

This clean hit by @ColeHolcomb_ was INSANE

: #PITvsLV on NBC
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/oKZBIH1Rly pic.twitter.com/mk8UuY9QDu

— NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2023

Holcomb was also part of a rush defense that got much better in a hurry. Through two games, the Steelers rush defense had allowed 386 yards, the most in the National Football League.

Sunday night the Steelers faced the NFL’s leading rusher from a season ago, Josh Jacobs. But the Steelers limited him to 62 yards on 17 attempts.

Flag folly

The Steelers were playing what had been a very clean game. They were only penalized twice heading into the fourth quarter. Then the officials got flag-happy.

A roughing-the-passer call on a Minkah Fitzpatrick sack was an absolute joke.

Minkah called for roughing Jimmy G pic.twitter.com/yxVE3o9eEF

— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) September 25, 2023

That extended what eventually became Vegas’ only touchdown drive of the second half. Then, the officials also gave the Raiders a second chance on a two-point conversion try on a pass-interference call in the end zone. And DeMarvin Leal got busted for “leveraging” on a field-goal attempt. That appeared to be the right call. But it was also very ticky-tacky.

Fortunately, that one didn’t matter for the Steelers in the long run. The field goal came off the board. The Raiders extended the drive. Then they kicked a field goal when the drive stalled out a second time anyway.

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Airing of Grievances

Just get it off your chest

OK, it’s late at night. I have to be up in a few hours, and the Steelers did manage to win. So, we are just going to plow through all of our grievances at once.

• The Steelers did well against Vegas’ rush attack, but wide receivers Adams and Jakobi Meyers really hurt them. Adams had 13 catches for 172 yards and two touchdowns, and Meyers had seven receptions for 85 yards.

Like Brandon Aiyuk and Amari Cooper over the first two weeks, quality receivers are denting the Steelers, and they really need to tighten up on the back end. I want to see more of Joey Porter Jr.

• The Steelers’ run game was better but still far from good. It only averaged 3.4 yards per carry as it was grinding along to 105 yards on 31 attempts.

• Tight end Pat Freiermuth was a bit more involved — three catches, 41 yards and a touchdown. Still, he only had four targets. I want to see that number increase.

• The officials suddenly got anal-retentive in the fourth quarter. But before that, Pickett took a couple of stray knocks to the head that could’ve been called. If the goal is to ruin football from within by officiating the contact out of the sport — and I think it is — just be consistent while you are doing it, please.