Najee Harris run on first drive ends Steelers’ TD drought

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers kickstarted their game against the Tennessee Titans with an explosive opening drive, resulting in a touchdown. This marked the first time this season that the Steelers managed to score on their opening drive.

In an impressive display of agility and teamwork, running back Najee Harris secured a 10-yard touchdown by finding a gap created by tight end Darnell Washington. The stadium erupted as the Steelers celebrated their initial points of the Thursday night clash.

Najee up the middle for an opening drive @steelers TD!#TENvsPIT on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/SEBKoOkzMq pic.twitter.com/07eUlBFrbT

— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2023

This touchdown marks Najee Harris’ second of the season, solidifying his position as a key playmaker for the Steelers.

Prior to Harris’ impressive run, the Steelers, along with the New York Jets, had been the only teams unable to score on their opening drives. Interestingly, the Steelers’ last opening-drive touchdown occurred in Week 15 of the previous season against the Carolina Panthers.

Not only did the Steelers break their opening-drive scoring drought, but they also made their way into the Titans’ territory for the first time in the initial drive. This achievement carries significance as the Steelers had gone four consecutive games without scoring a touchdown in the first half. Furthermore, they hadn’t even managed to put any points on the board during the first quarter in that time span.

Pittsburgh’s quarterback, Kenny Pickett, who battled through a rib injury sustained in the previous game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, showed resilience and precision during the opening drive. Pickett completed 5 of 7 attempts for 62 yards, including two crucial third-down conversions, showcasing his determination to lead the Steelers to victory.