Plays of the Year: Big Seumalo block gives Harris lane for early TD

by Christina "Tina" Rivers (3Rivers_Writer) and Joe Kuzma (joe_kuzma) on April 13, 2024

Steel City Underground presents “Plays of the Year” featuring the top runs, catches, hits and everything else in-between from the Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 season.

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 had 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.

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 has downhill power and 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, which resulted in a 20-16 victory.