Steel City Underground presents “Plays of the Year” featuring the top runs, catches, hits and everything else in-between from the Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 season.

On a Christmas Eve, in blustery winter conditions, the Pittsburgh Steelers organization needed a win to remain in playoff contention yet wanted a win to pay respect to the man whose jersey was to be retired after his untimely death: Franco Harris.

A team comprised of players who were all born long after the “Immaculate Reception” (1972) and the year Harris retired from the NFL (1984), stepped up in critical moments to snatch victory from the Las Vegas Raiders.

Following Pittsburgh’s offense taking the lead in the fourth quarter on a Kenny Pickett touchdown pass to George Pickens, 46 seconds remained on the game clock when Chris Boswell kicked the ball of to Las Vegas.

The Steelers defense was determined not to give the Raiders anything on offense.

On 1st & 10 at their own 29-yard line, Derek Carr attempted a deep pass to Davante Adams that was defended well by Levi Wallace. On the very next play, the Steelers grabbed their third interception in the game.

From the shotgun, Carr intended to hit Hunter Renfro – who’d scored a touchdown reception early in the game – deep over the middle. Feeling pressured, Carr stepped forward in the pocket and launched. Renfro looked open for all of about three seconds before Cameron Sutton stretched out a stole the pass, eliminating a Raiders comeback.

The interception gave the ball back to the Steelers offense with enough time to run the clock out, the final play a bit of misdirection to Connor Heyward in the offensive backfield that was carried downfield until Heyward slid to end the play in-bounds and ice the “Immaculate Reception” celebration for Pittsburgh.

The Steelers would climb to a 7-8 record with the 13-10 victory, with two more AFC North divisional opponents remaining on the schedule: the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns.