Steel City Underground will pick an exceptional play of the game as a highlight each week of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 NFL regular season. Stay tuned as we hand-select the very best from the Black and Gold!

The Pittsburgh Steelers won the coin toss against the Tennessee Titans in Week 9 of the 2023 NFL regular season and did something Steelers fans weren’t expecting: receiving the opening kickoff. With the way Pittsburgh’s offense has struggled, it initially felt like an odd move.

The choice resulted in a 10-play, 78-yard touchdown drive as the Steelers put points on the scoreboard first, however; the trip capped off with a well-blocked 10-yard run by Najee Harris.

There’s been a lot of discussion surrounding individuals on the offensive side of the ball this season. Is Warren better than Harris? Is Kenny Pickett the right fit at quarterback? Are Diontae Johnson and George Pickens at odds?

All of the talk was irrelevant as the Steelers offense clicked despite a couple of poorly thrown balls by Pickett. Utilizing Johnson, Warren, Harris, and Connor Heyward, in a nice mix of run and pass, the Steelers were knocking on the door at the Tennessee 10-yard line, facing 1st & Goal at the 10:11 mark in the first quarter.

Harris took the handoff from Pickett in the shotgun and burst forward as left guard Isaac Seumalo pulled to the right, made a big block, and cleared a nice path to the end zone. Bouncing through defenders, Harris was able to get into the end zone and made it look easy.

The touchdown play illustrated that Harris still has that downhill power and that the Pittsburgh offensive line was ready for a true trench battle with Tennessee. The play couldn’t have been drawn up, or executed, any better.

The touchdown put the Titans on their heels a bit, especially when the Steelers defense subsequently held Tennessee to a field goal on their first offensive series.

Harris carried the ball 16 times for 69 yards in the game. His longest run went for 25 yards. He also recorded two receptions in the come from behind victory. Combined, Harris and Warren accounted for 157 rushing yards to Titans star Derrick Henry‘s 75 yards and teammate Tyjae Spears‘ 18.

The Steelers offense logged 166 rushing yards to the Titans’ 105 yards in the Thursday Night Football game.