For a (record) fifth time this season the Raiders had and blew at least a seven-point halftime lead. This time they held the lead until the final minute. But eventually scoring just ten points and zero in the second half wasn’t enough and the Steelers beat them 13-10.
The Raiders offense played great as a whole for all of one drive, while the defense played great for all but one drive. Sifting through it, there were some fine performances, while the poor performances outshined them considerably.
Ballers
CB Tyler Hall
The late season free agent pickup played the hero on several drives in this game. The first time the Steelers drove into scoring range, they lined up in third and two and Hall shot through on a toss play to make the stop for a loss. He took a perfect angle, closed quickly, and even fought through a stiff arm to make the stop. The Steelers missed the field goal attempt that followed.
The Raiders made the stop on defense to begin the third quarter, but then gave the ball right back off an interception. This allowed the Steelers to once again move into scoring range. And once again, there was Hall, making the stop for no gain on a catch. They missed the 52-yard field goal attempt to keep the score at 10-3.
Still clinging to a 10-6 lead in the fourth quarter, the defense forced a three-and-out. On third down there was Hall again, knocking the pass attempt down on what would have been a first down had it been completed. It was the defense’s last stand.
LB Denzel Perryman
The first defensive stop the Raiders made it was Perryman who made the tackle for one yard to force a punt.
The Steelers got the ball to start the third quarter and were moving down the field with catches of ten, 15, and 25 yards to reach the Vegas 35-yard-line. The next play, Perryman made a tackle for loss. And the play after that, he picked off Kenny Pickett and returned it to the Pittsburgh 47-yard-line.
Perryman left the game with an injured shoulder early in the fourth quarter. When he left, the Raiders were leading 10-3. The Raiders defense would make just one more stop after that and give up two scores including the game-winning touchdown drive which featured three separate plays in which the middle of the field was wide open.
WR Hunter Renfrow
The best play of the game, featured Renfrow making an incredible concentration grab with Carr’s pass just getting past the outstretched arms of Cam Sutton. Renfrow then stayed in bounds, sidestepped a defender and dove into the end zone for the opening drive touchdown. Gorgeous play all around.
Renfrow wasn’t done though. He had three catches in the third quarter, including two third-and-Renfrow catches. One in which Carr rolled right trying to find and open receiver and Renfrow broke off his route to get open for the conversion. The other went for 11 yards on third and nine. Unfortunately neither of those drives went any farther.
LT Kolton Miller
He offered Carr great protection from the left side, only giving up one run stuff on the day. He also had a key block on a 12-yard Josh Jacobs run on the Raiders’ touchdown drive to open the game.