The Las Vegas Raiders are in Pittsburgh for what should be a classic football evening here on Christmas Eve. A (very) cold weather game under the lights in an old school rivalry matchup to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the immaculate reception. The Steelers will also retire Franco Harris’ number 32 jersey which took on a new meaning following his passing on Wednesday.
Both teams’ playoff chances are still technically alive, though very small. The loser of this game will be officially eliminated from contention.
Kenny Pickett is set to return from his concussion suffered two weeks ago against the Baltimore Ravens, so everyone will get their first look at Kenny Pickett on a cold December Pittsburgh night – something that Ben Roethlisberger excelled at throughout his career.
As always, thank you for choosing to spend your gameday with us at Steelers Depot. Refresh the thread throughout the game for curated tweets, video highlights, and more. Join the discussion in the comment section at the bottom of the page.
STEELERS INACTIVE PLAYERS
QB Mason Rudolph
G Kendrick Green
ILB Mark Robinson
DT Jonathan Marshall
S Terrell Edmunds
RAIDERS INACTIVE PLAYERS
RB Zamir White
G Netane Muti
T Jackson Barton
DT Matthew Butler
DE Tashawn Bower
CB Rock Ya-Sin
START OF GAME.
Raiders win the toss and elected to receive. Steelers defense will take the field first.
On the first play of the game, Josh Jacobs rushed for about 4 yards. The next play he picked up just enough for the first down.
Three plays later, the Raiders are on the Steelers end. The Pittsburgh defense is struggling early on. Robert Spillane met Brandon Bolden in the hole for no gain. The Raiders called their first timeout. On 2nd and 10, Carr kept the ball himself and streaked up the sideline for 9 yards. On 3rd and short, the sneak up the middle was enough to convert.
On 1st and 10, Spillane made the tackle to limit the run to just two. Knocking on the door of the redzone, the 2nd down drop back resulted in a Cameron Heyward sack. 3rd and 16, a check down pass and Abdullah turned upfield to convert.
On 1st and 10, an incomplete pass to the right boundary, intended for Davante Adams. 2nd and 10, Spillane came downhill to limit the shallow crosser to just three yards. 3rd and 7, Tre Norwood nearly batted the pass away, but Hunter Renfrow somehow came away with it and ran into the end zone. 7-0 Raiders.
Najee Harris up the middle on first down for a loss of one. One 2nd and 11, Pickett complete to Steven Sims for 7 yards. 3rd and 4, a completion to Diontae Johnson for 11 yards and a first down.
On 1st and 10, Pickett threw the ball away. Another throwaway on 2nd. 3rd and 10, Pickett complete to Zach Gentry for under a yard. Harvin’s punt downed at the 18 yard line.
Darren Waller picked up 11 yards on the first down pass. The next play Jacobs lost 3. On 2nd, a pass to Jacobs gained 6, but the 3rd down pass was deflected. The punt went out of bounds at the 25 yard line. Just 1:30 left in the first quarter.
Najee Harris found a hole on the cutback lane and gained 14.
On 1st and 10, back to Najee for a gain of two before Pickett hit Diontae Johnson along the left sideline for 15 yards.
END OF 1ST QUARTER: 7-0 RAIDERS.
Najee Harris stuffed for no gain on 1st down, but another nice pass to Diontae Johnson picked up 13 yards and a fresh set of downs.
In field goal range, Chris Boswell hooked his 43 yard field goal attempt. No good.
A little misdirection with a pump fake on first down, complete to Pat Freiermuth for a gain of 8. On 2nd, Najee Harris rushed for 8 yards.
On 1st down, Najee Harris rushed for a yard. On 2nd, back to Harris for 7 yards off left tackle. On 3rd, Pickett complete to George Pickens to convert.
On 1st and 10, Najee rushed for four yards. Jaylen Warren checked in on 2nd down to gain 13. Nice one-two punch for the running back room.
Warren stayed in the game and went all the way around the edge on the right sideline for four yards. A nice block thrown by Diontae Johnson. On 2nd, Warren picked up 5. He probably could have planted his foot to convert, but he tried to bounce further outside. On 3rd and 1, Derek Watt up the middle for no gain. Kenny Pickett with the sneak to convert.
On 1st and 10, Pickett threw the ball away to avoid the sack. To Freiermuth on 2nd for a gain of just two.
TWO MINUTE WARNING.
Pat Freiermuth dropped the third down pass on what would have been an easy conversion. Boswell hooked the field goal again, but this time it went in. 7-3 Raiders.
The Raiders quickly got to near mid field with a lot of yards after contact.
On 1st and 2nd, some incomplete passes, but Carr dialed up a 34 yarder to Darren Waller. Tre Norwood was injured on the play. With Terrell Edmunds out injured, it should be Damontae Kazee playing strong safety.
Carr nearly hit Devante Adams along the sideline, but slightly overthrew him. One last shot to the endzone, but incomplete. The field goal was good. 10-3 Raiders.
The kickoff sends the game into half time. Steelers get the ball after the half.
END OF HALF: 10-3 RAIDERS.
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