Monday’s “First Call” shows us why the Las Vegas Raiders will be heading into Pittsburgh on cloud nine.

Two of the Watt brothers — T.J. and J.J. — have something to brag about coming off of Sunday’s NFL action.

James Conner keeps a streak going in Arizona. And ex-Steeler JuJu Smith-Schuster plays his way into some more money, while a current Steeler has some cash taken away.

How about this for timing?

As the Las Vegas Raiders prepare for a trip to Pittsburgh on Saturday night for the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception, they just won one of the most bizarre endings to a game in their franchise’s history.

On Sunday, Las Vegas won a game over the Patriots that appeared to be destined for overtime, tied 24-24. But a wild sequence of New England laterals on the final play of regulation resulted in a takeaway by former Patriot Chandler Jones. The Vegas pass rusher then ran it back for a game-winning defensive touchdown.

What just happened?? The @Raiders win on the final play!! #NEvsLV pic.twitter.com/cmKNUuab1k

— NFL (@NFL) December 19, 2022

After the game, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said he went with a draw play on the final snap instead of a Hail Mary because he thought Mac Jones couldn’t reach the end zone. Pats wide receiver Jakobi Meyers was the player who threw the lateral that got intercepted.

“Trying to be a hero, I guess,” Meyers said via MassLive. “I just was doing too much. I should’ve went down with the ball.”

The loss sinks the Patriots to 7-7 and currently out of the playoff mix. The win elevates the Raiders to 6-8. So they’ll enter the Immaculate Reception anniversary game with the same record — and similarly minimal playoff hopes — as the Steelers.

The Steelers have been installed as 2.5-point favorites.

More Steelers

• Feats of Strength: Steelers win run game battle, 3rd downs, red zone en route to victory over Carolina • Steelers use running game, defense to defeat Carolina • Mike Tomlin: Steelers show lack of smarts by committing 3 personal fouls in win at Carolina

Milestone moment

Steelers star linebacker T.J. Watt recorded 1.5 sacks on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. That’s a total of four during his injury-plagued season. That means the All-Pro has now reached 75 sacks for his career. He has done so in 84 games.

Sacks became an official stat in 1982. According to the NFL’s research department, Watt has become the third-fastest player to reach 75 career sacks. Only Hall of Famer Reggie White (65 games) and Watt’s older brother, J.J. (82), reached that mark in fewer games.

The elder Watt had a big game for his Arizona Cardinals during a 24-15 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday. He had three sacks on the afternoon.

J.J. Watt remains as advertised.

SACK PARTY pic.twitter.com/F8Dfne9Vxc

— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) December 18, 2022

That brings J.J. Watt’s total to 6.5 on the season. He now has 111.5 for his career. That’s good for 26th in the official stat era. Bruce Smith holds the record with 200.

The streak(s) continue

Speaking of that game in Denver, former Steeler James Conner extended his touchdown streak Sunday. The Cardinals running back scored on a short, fourth-quarter touchdown run from two yards out.

James Conner fantasy owners get a boost

: #AZvsDEN on FOX: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/W6A4BDcRnV pic.twitter.com/BZ5tkCkDLK

— NFL (@NFL) December 18, 2022

The Pitt Panthers alum has now scored at least one touchdown in five straight games. He has seven total TDs on the season. Conner had 91 yards from scrimmage for the Cardinals during the defeat.

It’s the fourth straight loss for Arizona and their sixth in seven tries.

JuJu’s magic number

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, midway through his team’s game Sunday, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster hit an important number for his contract.

Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster has 4 catches today, bringing him to 65 on the season.

As a result of reaching 65 catches, Smith-Schuster just earned another $500K and hit his maximum catches incentive of $1.5M total.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 18, 2022

The former Steeler ended up having a big day for the Chiefs, catching 10 passes for 88 yards. Kansas City needed every bit of help they could get to beat the pesky Houston Texans. Kansas City got a Texans turnover followed by a Jerick McKinnon overtime touchdown to win in Houston 30-24.

Jerick McKinnon walks it off in OT! #KCvsHOU pic.twitter.com/A9vIUencOb

— NFL (@NFL) December 18, 2022

The win gives the Chiefs the AFC West division crown for a seventh straight season.

Fines are flying

In case you missed it over the weekend, Steelers offensive lineman Chuks Okorafor got a fine from the NFL. It was for $10,609.

The fine was a result of a dust up during the Steelers loss to the Baltimore Ravens last week. According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Baltimore defensive back Marcus Peters received a fine for the same amount.

#Ravens CB Marcus Peters was fined $10,609 for unnecessary roughness – retaliating against #Steelers OT Chukwuma Okorafor last week. Peters also was flagged; Okorafor was fined $10,609 for unnecessary roughness as well.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 17, 2022

Okorafor signed a three-year contract with $9.25 million guaranteed prior to this season. Peters’ base salary for this year is $10 million. So my guess is that both players can handle the pinch.

Meanwhile, for those hoping that Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith would be fined for either his hit on Kenny Pickett last week or the facemask he grabbed en route to the tackle, he wasn’t.

Nor, in my opinion, should he have been.

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