T.J Watt's dominance propels Steelers to a sloppy Week 6 victory

The Pittsburgh Steelers may have walked away with a 32-13 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6 of the 2024 NFL season, but it wasn’t a performance that inspired much confidence. While the Steelers ultimately got the job done, the game was a gritty, defensive battle highlighting several ongoing concerns for Mike Tomlin’s squad.

T.J. Watt was the defensive star, delivering two critical “peanut punch” forced fumbles that turned the tide. Watt’s knack for creating turnovers, combined with a blocked punt by the Steelers’ special teams unit, ensured that any momentum the Raiders attempted to build was quickly stifled. These game-changing plays by the defense were pivotal in maintaining control throughout the contest, as the Raiders struggled to get into a rhythm.

Despite these heroics on defense and special teams, Pittsburgh’s offense remained sluggish. Quarterback Justin Fields did his best to manage the game, but the unit had difficulty finding rhythm or consistency. Fields used his mobility to keep the offense alive. He earned 59 yards on 11 carries including two touchdown scampers.

Fields' mobility gave Pittsburgh's offense an added dimension and secured a Week 6 win. The Steelers’ passing attack was underwhelming, and once again, forcing the team to rely heavily on their ground game to grind out a win.

Najee Harris helps Steelers' offense put points on the board

Najee Harris was the workhorse, earning his seventh 100-yard rushing game of the season. Harris’s ability to break tackles and pick up key yardage helped keep the chains moving for Pittsburgh. His biggest contribution came late in the fourth quarter when he broke free for a 36-yard touchdown run, providing the Steelers with much-needed breathing room to secure the victory. Harris’s performance was a bright spot in an otherwise lackluster offensive display.

While the Steelers improved to 4-2 on the season, the win exposed more weaknesses than strengths. Arthur Smith’s offense still lacks efficiency, often stalling out on drives and relying on turnovers to create scoring opportunities. The defense, despite generating turnovers, has yet to fully reach its potential, allowing the Raiders to stay in the game longer than they should have.

In the end, the Steelers did what they needed to do to come out on top. They capitalized on mistakes, made timely defensive plays, and leaned on Harris to carry the load offensively. As the Steelers head into the middle stretch of the season, they must find solutions to questions left unanswered.