First Call: Cordarrelle Patterson still pitching Davante Adams; Raiders coach pans his team after loss to Steelers

Monday’s “First Call” has some grumbling from the Las Vegas Raiders’ coach after a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. The Steelers are an early favorite to win next week as well. One Steelers’ veteran is still recruiting Davante Adams.

And a former Penguins goalie impresses his new team with a strong first effort between the pipes.

Sticking with it

Steelers running back Cordarrelle Patterson is still trying to will Las Vegas wide receiver Davante Adams to Pittsburgh.

After the Steelers’ win over the Raiders, Patterson sent this message attempting to entice Adams to come to town.

@tae15adams man I know you ready to be a @steelers

— cordarrelle patterson (@ceeflashpee84) October 13, 2024

Adams has requested a trade from the Raiders. The Steelers need a wide receiver. But Adams would likely need a reworked multi-year contract before any such trade would be made. So Patterson is putting on a recruiting push.

This isn’t the first time Patterson has reached out to Adams. He did so when the story about Adams wanting a change of scenery broke.

Neither Patterson nor Adams played in the game Sunday. Patterson has an ankle injury. Adams is dealing with a sore hamstring. It is also possible the Raiders could be scratching him to protect his trade value.

More sports

• Madden Monday: A play from the win over Raiders that may change the course of Steelers' season
• Feats of Strength: Timely T.J. Watt turnovers, Najee Harris' breakout day lead Steelers to win in Las Vegas
• T.J. Watt's 2 forced fumbles help Steelers shut down Raiders in road victory

Prickly Pierce

Raiders coach Antonio Pierce isn’t happy with how his team (2-4) played against the Steelers (4-2).

“Our record is what it shows. We’re 2-4 — it’s not good enough,” Pierce said via the Associated Press. “We’re not coaching well enough, we’re not playing well enough, and we’re not detailed well enough.”

In particular, he is angry about the club’s three turnovers.

“When you turn the ball over, you don’t give yourself a chance.” Pierce continued. “It starts with discipline. We (had) four penalties, but they were at critical moments. The turnover thing is embarrassing. We don’t respect the ball enough, so we don’t even deserve a chance to put ourselves in a position to win.”

Pierce is right about the penalties. They were ill-timed, and I’d argue not really deserved. Twice the Raiders were flagged for shaky roughing the passer calls. One flag erased an interception. The other kept a drive alive on a failed third-down conversion attempt.

Vegas was also whistled for an ineligible man downfield penalty to wipe out what would’ve been a touchdown. Two plays later, T.J. Watt caused a fumble on a play from just outside the goal line, the second of those three turnovers Pierce mentioned.

Fumble at the goal line! @Steelers recover.

????: #PITvsLV on CBS/Paramount+
????: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/KdsPgrwolF

— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2024

Watt created another fumble in the first half, and Donte Jackson had an interception later in the game. The Raiders lead the NFL with 12 giveaways.

Get in early?

The Steelers will play the New York Jets next week. That’s a “Sunday Night Football” game at Acrisure Stadium next week.

Even though the Jets haven’t played yet this week, the Steelers are an early two-point favorite according to BetRivers.

The Jets (2-3) host the Buffalo Bills (3-2) on Monday night in an important AFC East showdown. The Bills come in as a one-point favorite.

The last time New York was on the North Shore was Week 4 of the 2022 season. The Jets won 24-20 behind Zach Wilson at quarterback. The loss dropped the Steelers to 1-3.

That was the game when the Steelers were down 10-6 at halftime, and Mike Tomlin benched Mitch Trubisky for Kenny Pickett.

Pickett helped lead a comeback, going 10 of 13 and running for two touchdowns. He also threw three interceptions, one of which was a Hail Mary at the end of the game. But the Steelers’ defense caved and allowed two fourth quarter TDs.

Now, Pickett is in Philadelphia. Aaron Rodgers is the Jets QB because Wilson is a backup for the Denver Broncos. Presumably, Rodgers will be opposed by Justin Fields in prime time next week.

Presumably.

Shining star

Former Penguin Casey DeSmith had a strong debut in his first start with the Dallas Stars. He posted a shutout against the Seattle Kraken en route to a 2-0 win Sunday.

DeSmith made 25 saves in the victory.

THE STARS ARE SHINING! ????

Casey DeSmith records a @pepsi shutout in his first start with the @DallasStars! #NHLFaceOff pic.twitter.com/rQ0JOrQLmM

— NHL (@NHL) October 14, 2024

DeSmith signed a three-year, $3 million contract with the Stars this offseason. He spent 2023-24 in Vancouver, going 12-9-0-6 with a 2.89 goals-against average and a save percentage of .896.

Dallas has won all three of its games so far this season, shutting out its last two opponents. The Stars next play the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday.