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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Allison Koehler

Steelers QB Kenny Pickett reveals what he learned about offense

It was a here-we-go-again scenario early on in the Pittsburgh Steelers-Las Vegas Raiders game after the first two drives from Kenny Pickett and company resulted in consecutive three-and-outs. But they finally got things going when Pickett connected with speedster Calvin Austin III for a 72-yard score. It was Pickett’s first true deep touchdown pass of the 2023 season (air travel on the pass to George Pickens versus the Browns was 20 yards) and Austin’s first regular season score of his young career.

A touchdown to Pat Freiermuth gave Pickett the first multiple-touchdown game of his career. And while it’s still not the output Najee Harris wants, he ended the game with 65 rushing yards on 19 attempts. He kept his legs churning on several plays, a departure from the previous two weeks.

The balance is what Pittsburgh’s been searching for since kickoff of Week 1, and they finally found it in Vegas. “When we’re balanced, we’re dangerous,” Pickett told sideline reporter Melissa Stark after the game. “It’s the ultimate team game. I think we’ve got great players on the outside, great backs, great guys up front. When we’re balanced, that’s when we’re at our best.”

The Steelers travel to Houston on Sunday to take on the 1-2 Texans, whose defense is more stingy. The Texans have allowed 117 rushing yards per game (16th) and 223 pass ypg (17th) versus Pittsburgh’s 152 and 235.

Let’s hope they can keep the momentum going this week as they face a formidable divisional opponent in the Baltimore Ravens on October 8.

 

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