Plays of the Year: Pickett hits Harris for game-winner over the Ravens
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.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were on the road on New Year’s day to play the Baltimore Ravens for the second time during the 2022 NFL regular season.
After losing by just two points in Week 14, the Steelers were down in the fourth quarter by five points until the defense made a big stop and the offense orchestrated their second comeback win in back-to-back games when rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett made a veteran read and threw the game-winning touchdown pass to Najee Harris.
The Steelers trailed the Ravens, 13-9, and started the drive at their own 20-yard line with 4:16 left on the game clock. The drive involved Harris heavily as he ran the ball for seven yards before catching a short pass.
The biggest chunk plays were a deep pass to tight end Pat Freiermuth for 20 yards and another to Steven Sims who snagged a tough catch for 28 yards. Harris ran the ball a couple more times and Pickett took off on one as well, setting Pittsburgh up in the redzone.
With just 56 seconds left in the game, Pickett took the snap and was almost immediately pressured. Shrugging off the potential sack, Pickett righted himself and threw the ball to Harris who had motioned out into the flat. After seeing Pickett scramble, Harris took off for the end zone with a step on Roquan Smith covering him. Pickett threw a beautiful ball and hit Harris for the game-winner and only Steelers touchdown in the game.
The Ravens hadn’t allowed a touchdown at home since just before Halloween. On third-and-ten, Baltimore’s defense was unable to keep the Steelers from making a bold strike, sealing a comeback and keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Harris finished the game with 111 yards on 22 carries as well as two catches, including the touchdown, for twelve yards. The touchdown was Harris’ third receiving score of the season out of ten total touchdowns in the 2022 regular season.
The Steelers would improve to 8-8 on the season with this road win over their long-time division rival.