Steelers’ Najee Harris Unleashes Beast Mode in Win Over Raiders
In a stunning display of athleticism, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris channeled his inner Michael Jordan, leaping over a defender to score a crucial touchdown in the team’s 32-13 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The impressive play not only extended the Steelers’ lead but also marked the team’s first rushing touchdown scored by someone other than quarterback Justin Fields all season.
A Collective Effort
Harris’ remarkable performance was part of a larger team effort, with the Steelers racking up 183 rushing yards on the day. Coach Mike Tomlin praised the collective energy and effort of the team, saying, “It was a collective effort. Not only the bigs but the perimeter people, and obviously Naj and everyone else… Anytime you have a run output like that, it’s not an individual, it is a collective.”
Marshawn Lynch: Harris’ Good Luck Charm
Perhaps Harris’ impressive performance should have been expected, given the presence of former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch at the game. Lynch, a longtime friend and mentor to Harris, has been a good luck charm for the young running back, who has averaged 114 yards per game and 5.5 yards per carry with Lynch in attendance.
Breaking Down the Raiders
Harris finished the game with 106 rushing yards on 14 carries, averaging a career-best 7.6 yards per carry. He also had two catches for 16 yards. Safety DeShon Elliott praised Harris’ performance, saying, “I told him after the game, ‘That’s the Najee Harris I saw at Alabama.’ Tote that ball like that. He’s been playing well, being physical, so I believe in our run game we just got to keep going, keep getting better.”
Setting the Tone
Harris set the tone early, gaining 25 yards and two first downs on the first two plays of the game. The Steelers’ run game – and offense as a whole – was largely stagnated for much of the half, but Harris’ 15-yard run early in the second quarter helped spark the team.
A Domino Effect
Harris’ play sparked a domino effect, with the Steelers outscoring the Raiders 28-6 after that play. Harris built on that run with 75 second-half rushing yards and a score of his own. The team’s unified performance showed that they have what it takes to be productive after an inefficient start to the season.
Building on Success
Harris emphasized the importance of building on the team’s success, saying, “If you want to be efficient on both passing and running, you got to get there and block… There’s a dirty part of everybody’s job. For us it’s pass protection, getting a 4-yard run or just doing things like that, and for the receivers it’s getting there and blocking.” With this win, the Steelers are looking to build on their momentum and continue to improve their run game.
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