Position Tiers: Steelers vs. Raiders

Well, that was different.

For the first time in what seems like a long time, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business early and didn't have to wear themselves out against a bad team on Sunday in Las Vegas, picking up a 32-13 win over the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium exploits three-phase attack.

Najee Harris had his best game of the season and perhaps one of the best of his career, giving the Steelers a strong rushing attack. The defense forced three turnovers and special teams dealt with a clutch blocked punt. Justin Fields added two rushing touchdowns and Chris Boswell hit four field goals.

That puts the Steelers back on track at 4-2 and back on track after two tough losses in back-to-back weeks.

Let's get to some notes.

QB – C+

As a passer, Justin Fields showed off the full Justin Fields experience on the afternoon. He had some great plays as a passer and some that were head-scratching, including a handful of missed throws and at least one fumble that was negated by a penalty.

Fields finished the game just 14 of 24 passing for 145 yards. Aside from a late 31-yard throw to George Pickens outside of game action, he remained relatively quiet that day. Accuracy issues worried him, as he missed three straight shots early in the game on plays that were undoubtedly there. He failed a few more times as the game progressed.

The passing game is just not going well at the moment. Luckily for Fields, his legs are incredibly dynamic.

Fields rushed for 59 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries and scored on runs of 3 and 7 yards. As a runner, he is incredibly difficult to defend in the red zone and he took excellent advantage of the Raiders on the ground.

But the issues, now in the second week in a row, are concerning, especially because Fields has missed several shots. He needs to get stuck there again or the noise about a QB switch to Russell Wilson will only get louder.

RB-B+

If this grade were just for Najee Harris, it would easily be an A. Harris was outstanding in the afternoon. He ran hard, was efficient and moved the pile forward consistently.

Harris finished the game with 106 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries and scored on a 36-yard run in the third quarter, capping a great drive in which he had previously had a 26-yard run. He made defenders miss the hole, dragged defenders in piles, and likely secured another Angry Runs scepter in the process.

A hell of a performance from Harris.

However, other than him, the three other running backs in Jaylen Warren, Aaron Shampklin and Jonathan Ward were not very good.

Ward finished the game with three runs for 13 yards, all of which came in the final minutes. He looked good on his 6-yard run in the fourth quarter, but he continues to try to cushion any run to reach the home run. Warren only had seven yards on six carries and really didn't do anything good. He added three receptions for 11 yards and just wasn't good that night in his return from injury.

Shampklin had one carry for -2 yards and was largely invisible for the Steelers from a snap count perspective.

WR-C

George Pickens made a great diving catch on Fields' 31-yard completion to give the game-winning touchdown. He once again showed his great body control and hand-eye coordination. But aside from that catch, he had a day full of ups and downs.

Pickens dropped his first touchdown of the season and dropped his first target of the game with a throw that hit him right in the facemask after getting his head right late. He played the most snaps of any receiver, but three receptions for 53 yards is nothing special.

Calvin Austin III was the only other receiver to catch the ball on the afternoon, hauling in two passes for 36 yards, including a long pass for 20 yards. Austin did a great job of getting the lead on a scramble drill from Fields and then made a great play over the middle. He narrowly missed a big play in the first half after a throw from Fields sailed just over his fingertips.

Use Austin more in the passing game.

TE – C+

Pat Freiermuth only had two catches for 16 yards, so he wasn't much of a threat in the passing game. However, he was denied a touchdown because Fields was over the line of scrimmage when he threw.

Luckily for Freiermuth, he was a solid blocker and had the key block to send Harris down the left sideline for his 36-yard touchdown.

Darnell Washington was a good blocker throughout the game, despite having a call on Maxx Crosby in the first half. The Steelers again used Washington extensively as a blocker and he was as advertised. Washington also had a catch for nine yards, dragging defenders with him.

Connor Heyward was a good blocker. Not too effective, but quite good. He also had a catch for 4 yards. However, it will be nice to have MyCole Pruitt back soon.

OL – C+

Running for 183 yards and three touchdowns on 35 carries, averaging 5.2 yards, is nothing to scoff at. The Steelers did a good job in the run game by winning at the point of attack, creating shifts and outrunning defenders on the second level to free up Harris and Fields.

In that respect it was a strong performance.

This group is again about pass protection.

The Steelers allowed three sacks for fielding, eight tackles for loss and six quarterback hits. Fields was under quite a bit of pressure and got into trouble on several occasions because of the pressure. There were also numerous penalties that really hindered the Steelers. Broderick Jones had a tough game against Maxx Crosby, while Dan Moore Jr. allowed a sack to K'Lavon Chaisson.

Hopefully C Zach Frazier's injury isn't too serious. This offensive line cannot afford to lose any more talent to injuries.

DL – B+

Cam Heyward will be a dominant force for years to come. He took over the game against the Raiders at times because of his play against the run and the pressure he could generate to chase the passer.

Heyward finished the win with four tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss and two quarterback hits. He controlled the line of scrimmage and did some damage that won't show up in the box score.

Keeanu Benton also quietly had a good game, playing good football against the run and creating some inside pressure that spurred the passer on. He recovered from a crucial fumble and played football constantly.

Larry Ogunjobi and Montravius ​​Adams were quiet on the night, combining for just three tackles. But they played the run well and remained solid in their tasks, which resulted in good defensive football overall.

LB-A

TJ Watt had another monster game involving TJ Watt stuff.

Watt had two big forced fumbles, including one at the goal line when he forced running back Ameer Abdullah to keep the Raiders off the scoreboard. His ability to land shots on the football and knock the ball loose is similar to Charles “Peanut” Tillman. Remarkable.

He wasn't particularly effective as a pass rusher, but the two forced turnovers were monumental.

Compared to Watt, Jeremiah Moon didn't have much of an impact defensively. He finished the game with two tackles. Adetokunbo Ogundeji had a pass breakup in the win and had a couple of nice pass bursts towards the end of the game.

Inside, Patrick Queen and Elandon Roberts showed very strong games.

Queen finished the game with 13 tackles and one tackle for loss. He has been constantly busy with football and has tackled it well after some difficult performances in that area at the start of the season. Roberts provided the physicality and really helped set the tone. He finished the game with five tackles, one tackle for loss and a quarterback hit.

Payton Wilson had six tackles and one tackle for loss, often seeing the field and making plays when he was out. After the win over the Raiders, it feels like the Steelers have a very good trio of inside linebackers going forward.

DB – B+

With the Raiders without Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, the Steelers largely kept them under control in the passing game.

DJ Turner had a big 30-yard catch against Joey Porter Jr. and tight end Brock Bowers played Porter, DeShon Elliott and Minkah Fitzpatrick in coverage, but for the most part the secondary was solid.

Elliott had some big tackles in space and continued to be a constant presence. Fitzpatrick flew around and helped force Donte Jackson's interception to set up Justin Fields' 7-yard touchdown run.

Beanie Bishop Jr. also recovered well, with a big tackle for loss and a key pass breakup, and played well in the slot.

Special Teams – A

Any time Chris Boswell goes 4-for-4 on field goals, it will be a strong performance from the Steelers special forces. Boswell was money the entire game. He made field goals of 52, 49, 37 and 36 yards.

In the punting game, Corliss Waitman was used three times and averaged 45.7 yards, throwing two of his punts inside the 20-yard line. Ameer Abdullah had three punt returns for -1 yards on the day. Damn good job from the insurance unit.

The special teams capped it all off with a huge blocked punt by Moon that gave the Steelers a short field. Danny Smith timed it perfectly to free Moon up the middle, and it resulted in a blocked punt against AJ Cole that changed the game. That's now four blocked punts for the Steelers in the last year and a half.