Running back Najee Harris took to the air like a scene from Michael Jordan’s “Space Jam,” stretching his right arm out with the football as he leaped from the 5-yard line toward the end zone, attempting to evade Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones.
By mere inches, Harris crossed the goal line, not only boosting the Pittsburgh Steelers’ lead in a 31-13 victory over the Raiders but also recording the first rushing touchdown of the season by any player other than Justin Fields.
The touchdown came from a 36-yard powerful run through traffic at the line of scrimmage, followed by a tightrope sprint down the sideline, aided by a block from tight end Pat Freiermuth.
🚨🚨THIS IS WILD🚨🚨
Pittsburgh #Steelers fans have COMPLETELY TAKEN OVER THE STADIUM IN LAS VEGAS.
TERRIBLE TOWELS ARE EVERYWHERE.
IT’s A HOME GAME FOR PITTSBURGH IN VEGAS
(🎥@TickPick)
pic.twitter.com/7i8MDTxiIY https://t.co/EIyVrOsVNt— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) October 13, 2024
“It was a team effort,” head coach Mike Tomlin stated about their 183 rushing yards. “It involved not just the linemen but also the perimeter players, and of course Najee and the rest of the team. Anytime you achieve that kind of running success, it’s a collective achievement. I think Muth made a key block to allow him to break free. I felt the combined energy and effort that was essential.”
Expectations for this performance may have been heightened during warmups when former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch, a close friend and mentor to Harris, appeared on the field at Allegiant Stadium, playfully interacting with the Steelers’ quarterbacks while sporting a pair of yellow and black cleats. Lynch even took a handoff from his former teammate, Russell Wilson.
Marshawn Lynch is here, carrying a pair of black and yellow cleats.
He took a handoff from old teammate Russell Wilson for old times sake. pic.twitter.com/T7kenLxtV1
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) October 13, 2024
“Maybe that’s why he ran differently,” said safety DeShon Elliott. “[Lynch] was here, and he really brought that energy. He definitely ran like beast mode today. I loved seeing it.”
“I told him after the game that’s the Najee Harris I recognized from Alabama,” Elliott noted. “He carried that ball like a champ. He’s been playing hard and physical, so I believe in our running game; we just need to keep improving.”
NAJEE SHOOK HIM 😱
🔥 @steelers pic.twitter.com/oihXkE4CmP
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 13, 2024
Harris set the pace right from the start, accumulating 25 yards and two first downs on the first two plays. The first was a short reception from Fields that he turned into a 12-yard gain, followed by a 13-yard run up the middle.
However, due to penalties and a poorly timed trick play, the Steelers’ running game—and overall offense—struggled for much of the first half, apart from a 15-yard run by Harris early in the second quarter. This run was aided by strong blocking from several offensive linemen, with Freiermuth pushing Harris forward to gain at least five additional yards despite heavy defensive pressure.
“That sparks the offense,” Harris explained. “When drives stall, you need a play to ignite it. I always aim to be that catalyst. I want the team to feel that we need to keep pushing, reminding them that it’s a four-quarter fight, and we must make plays to create excitement. When I do something like that, it should trigger a domino effect—receivers making plays, tight ends stepping up, Justin making plays; it all connects.”
And it did. Following that play, the Steelers outscored the Raiders 28-6, which included two rushing touchdowns by Fields. Harris added to the momentum with 75 rushing yards and a touchdown in the second half. In addition to his 36-yard touchdown, he had a 26-yard run earlier in the drive, thanks to significant blocks from tight ends Darnell Washington and Freiermuth.
