Las Vegas Raiders stun Steelers in 26-17 victory on the road
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders ran their record to 2-0 on the young season, going on the road and beating the Pittsburgh Steelers, 26-17.
The 2021 NFL season is off to a hot start for the Las Vegas Raiders, who have beaten two playoff teams from last season to open the campaign. After beating the Baltimore Ravens at home in Week 1, needing overtime to do so, the Raiders went to Pittsburgh on a short week, controlling the game from the outset against the Steelers.
Going into the game with plenty of injuries, including some crucial ones up front along the offensive line, Las Vegas knew they would need all hands on deck to come away with win No. 2 on the young season. Early on, it was clear Las Vegas was in for a dogfight, as they mustered only three field goals in the first half, but were able to string together some solid drives that fell short.
Raiders get it going in the second half
Finally, the Raiders were able to find the end zone in the second half, as Foster Moreau scored his first of what should be many touchdowns of the 2021 season. While Darren Waller is one of the best tight ends in the league, Moreau is one of the better No. 2 tight ends in the league and should take a major step forward in Year 3.
That would be the first of two touchdown strikes from quarterback Derek Carr, who made the second touchdown pass a big one. Carr hooked up with second-year wide receiver Henry Ruggs III for a 61-yard strike to give the Raiders a nine-point lead, this after the Steelers had cut the lead to two on a Ben Roethlisberger to Najee Harris touchdown connection.
While the offense got it going in the second half, the defense has been outstanding now for two straight weeks and looks fast and dominant early on. If they continue to play this way, the Raiders are going to be a problem for whichever team they line up to weekly.
Carr was outstanding in this game, throwing for 382 yards and two touchdowns, this after tossing for over 400 yards in the season opener. If there were any questions as to whether No. 4 is the guy in Las Vegas, he is putting all of those questions to rest early on in 2021, as the Raiders are suddenly a very strong playoff contender.