The Pittsburgh Steelers capped off Week 6 with a big win over the Las Vegas Raiders by a score of 32-13. This is the first time the Steelers have scored 30+ points in 2024 and a huge contributor for Pittsburgh was the ground game. Not only did Justin Fields find the end zone twice on the ground, but the Steelers outran the Raiders 183 yards to 57. A big chunk of those yards came from the tough runs by Najee Harris, something that he and the coaching staff are hopeful he can continue to replicate for the rest of the season.
Joe Sargent / Getty Images
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris running to space.
Harris ran for 106 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers' win. He finished averaging 7.6 yards a carry and capped off his day with a 35-yard touchdown on a toss play. Fields was all smiles talking about Harris after the game to media. Not only was he impressed with how he played in the game, but he hopes that Harris can come out like this again next week.
"Yeah I mean, Najee I don't know what he ate last night, I don't know what he did, but he sure did ball out today so whatever he did this week, hopefully he comes back and does the same thing next week."
Fields contributed his second touchdown to Harris as well. With how he was carving up the Raiders' defense, Fields believes that Las Vegas was more concerned with Harris on the fake toss, which allowed for him to find the end zone to make it a 29-7 game in the fourth quarter.
"I think my second rushing touchdown, I mean Najee scored on a toss, so they were probably thinking we were going to do the same thing. You fake the toss and you know keep the boot and there's only one or two guys over there."
Steelers fans have gotten a breath of fresh air with Fields, who is constantly breaking off runs.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Justin Fields and Najee Harris speaking with each other during practice.
Harris has struggled leading up to Week 6. He hadn't found the end zone through the first five weeks of the season and averaging just 3.3 yards per carry. With some fans calling Omar Khan's decision of not picking up his fifth year option a good move, he finally shushed his critics with an impressive game.
The Steelers' offensive identity is moving the ball on the ground and controlling the time of possession, but it is a tough task when your starting running back isn't producing. The Steelers only passed for 145 yards, but with the work both Fields and Harris were doing on the ground, Arthur Smith is likely more than happy with the outcome.
He is hoping that this game will give Harris the confidence to continue to move the ball at a 7.6 yard clip and with Jaylen Warren back, the running game should become more lethal.
Steven Bisig / USA TODAY Sports
Steelers' Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren catch their breath at Lumen Field.
The Steelers will have a big test in Week 7 as they host the New York Jets on Sunday Night Football. The Steelers could be without another offensive linemen as Zach Frazier left the game early with ankle injury. Pittsburgh has now lost James Daniels, Troy Fautanu, Nate Herbig, and now Frazier -- which could affect their ability to move the ball on the ground not only against the Jets but for the rest of the season.
Steelers' Najee Harris Will Want To Build Off The Week 6 Success
The Steelers run game seemed to be clicking in Las Vegas and that is with Warren in a limited role. With how much the Steelers rely on the success of the run game, Mike Tomlin and the coaching staff must be hopeful that this is the game that has woken up Harris. With the continue blows to the offensive line, the Steelers are going to lean on Harris' ability to break tackles even more.
Do you think Harris will build off his big game in Las Vegas or do you still have your doubts about him? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
#SteelerNation
