The Pittsburgh Steelers got back in the win column with a 32-13 road victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite a slow start, Najee Harris and the offense found a rhythm, while the defense took care of business. Although the win wasn't the most difficult on their schedule, every true NFL fan knows that victories in this league are never easy to come by. Now at 4-2, the Steelers showcased an encouraging offensive performance.
Scoring over 30 points is a rare feat for the Steelers lately, and Harris was a key factor in their success. Heading into the game, Harris had faced criticism after two disappointing outings, including being mocked by Indianapolis Colts players for his performance against them.
However, Harris silenced the critics with 14 carries for 106 rushing yards and a touchdown, along with two catches for 16 receiving yards. After the game, Harris addressed the media, but when asked by a reporter if he felt more nimble, he appeared to get defensive, making for a rather awkward exchange.
"I don’t… what? I know what I can do man like, I don’t know what you all are trying to get out of me. I’ve been doing that since college. I’ve been doing that in the league."
To be fair, Harris understands his worth, and during his time in Pittsburgh, he's faced heavy criticism despite consistently rushing for over 1,000 yards in every season. He’s also been incredibly reliable, never missing a game.
The main critique against Harris has been his lack of explosive plays and a lower yards-per-carry average. In the postgame interview, Harris went on to explain what contributed to his standout performance.
"There’s just certain plays where you can show more because you’re more in open space one on one. Sometimes when the play is clogged, you are not going to see me doing moves like that. Sometimes it’s certain opportunities where you can make those types of moves."
Harris was answering the question in regard to a toss play where he broke free for a 36-yard touchdown. He knew he had the advantage on that particular play.
"Yeah man, I’m one on one with a corner so that’s something that me personally likes to have because those are opportunities I know I can win both run, hurdling, running over or making a move."
Harris' entire postgame interview had an awkward tone, as he seemed a bit on edge while addressing the media. It's understandable, considering he's coming off two disappointing games and has faced scrutiny from the fan base since he was drafted. Despite being productive, Harris has operated within a struggling offensive scheme and behind a rebuilding offensive line.
Throughout his career in Pittsburgh, Harris has faced immense pressure. He rarely receives credit for his standout plays and is frequently criticized. Some fans even view drafting him in the first round as a mistake.
Steelers' Harris Has Great Game Against The Raiders
However, Harris reminded Steeler Nation of his talent on Sunday against the Raiders, playing with a clear chip on his shoulder. After the team declined his fifth-year option in the 2024 offseason, his future in Pittsburgh is uncertain. His frustration with the media was evident, as he even mentioned needing to be less honest in interviews because he just tells it like it is.
The Steelers will be hoping for more performances like the one they saw against the Raiders. Harris, fueled by extra motivation, seems determined to prove his doubters in the fan base wrong.
Through six games in the 2024 season, Harris has logged 96 carries for 376 rushing yards and one touchdown, averaging 3.9 yards per carry. While it hasn’t been the breakout season many fans were expecting, his performance on Sunday could be the spark that helps him regain momentum.
