Pittsburgh Steelers Week 2 Recap
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After starting their season with a come from behind 23-16 win against the Buffalo Bills, the Steelers traveled back home to Heinz Field for their home opener against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Pittsburg Steelers entered the game shorthanded on defense by sitting starting linebacker Devin Bush and cornerback Joe Haden due to groin injuries. Early in the first quarter, I could tell both offenses were trying to find their rhythm but ended up punting on their first drives. After an explosive fourteen-yard run by Najee Harris, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger throws a pass meant for wide receiver Dionte Johnson but intercepted by Raiders corner Trayvon Mullen Jr returns the inception inside Pittsburgh's forty-yard line. T.J. Watt and company prevents the Raiders offense from capitalizing off the turn and settles for a field goal going up 3-0 Raiders.
Entering the second quarter the Steelers offense is unable to convert on a fourth and four turning the ball over to the Raiders on the Raiders thirty-eight-yard line. Derek Carr scrambles for a pick-up of five yards but an unnecessary roughness called on Steeler's linebacker Robert Spillane added additional firth-teen yards to the run. Derek Carr hits receiver Hunter Renfrow for a seventeen-yard pick up placing them on the Steelers twenty-three-yard line. The Steeler's defense was able to hold the Raider's offense to another field goal by kicker Daniel Carlson to put the Raiders up 6-0. The Steeler's offense determined to put some points on the board before half time open their drive with a Ben Roethlisberger pass to receiver Dionte Johnson for pickup of thirteen – yards. Ben Roethlisberger throws a deep ball to hit Dionte Johnson again for a pick-up of forty-one yards. Dionte Johnson was able to get an illegal contact call against Raider's corner Trayvon Mullen Jr. but was declined. Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster scores the Steeler's first touchdown of the game with a three-yard run putting the Steelers in front 7-6. With just a little time left in the first half quarterback, Derek Carr and company moves the ball downfield to set up Daniel Carlson for a forty-one-yard field goal taking the lead 9-7 entering halftime. Steelers outside line T.J. Watt suffers a groin injury and wouldn't return to the game.
The Steelers were unable to move the ball much during their first series in the second half and punted the ball to the Raiders eight-teen yard line. Derek Carr begins the Raiders series by hitting receiver Bryan Edwards for an eight-teen-yard pickup. Steelers backup outside linebacker Melvin Ingram sacks Derek Carr for an eight-yard loss. Derek Carr strikes back with a twenty-three-yard pass to Hunter Renfrow. Derek Carr hits tight end Foster Moreau for a nine-yard touchdown pass leading the Steelers 16-7 late in the third quarter.
Ben Roethlisberger hits receiver Chase Claypool for a fifty-two-yard pass to set them up inside the Raiders thirty-yard line. Ben hits running back Najee Harris on a wheel route for a twenty-five-yard touchdown catch to put them two points behind the Raiders 16-14. In Mid fourth quarter the Steelers defense needed a big stop to give their offense a chance to win the game but unfortunately allowed Derek Carr to hit receiver Henry Ruggs III for a sixty-one-yard touchdown extending their lead 23-14. The Steelers try to mount a comeback by setting up kicker Chris Boswell for a fifty-six-yard field putting them six points behind the Raiders 23-17. The Raiders offense drives the ball downfield to set up kicker Daniel Carlson to seal their victory 26-17.
The Steelers look to bounce back in week 3 as they host the Cincinnati Bengals to open AFC North play. The Steelers have won the last 14 out of 16 meetings against the Bengals.