Gerry Dulac: Steelers defense keeps starting slow, but finishing strong has become a more important theme

Gerry Dulac / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

LAS VEGAS – As they always seem to do, the Steelers let the Las Vegas Raiders take the opening possession and march 70 yards for a touchdown as though it was Ken Stabler, not Aidan O’Connell, running their offense.

That, though, was nothing new. The Steelers had allowed the opponent an opening score in three of the previous five games. And they did it again in Allegiant Stadium.

But, as they also tend to do, the Steelers defense took over the game after that opening drive and shut down the Raiders with three takeaways in a 32-13 victory, keeping them tied at the top of the AFC North (4-2) with the Baltimore Ravens.

“I didn’t like our intensity,” said defensive end Cam Heyward, who let his teammates know of his displeasure after the Raiders took a 7-3 lead.

“Cam was pretty animated after that first touchdown drive,” said linebacker T.J. Watt. “It was Cam being Cam, a lot of yelling. But it worked.”

Apparently.

The Raiders went three-and-out on their next two possession and only had two first downs the remainder of the first half after having four on the opening possession. They never converted a third down (0 for 3) in the first half and were just 2 of 11 for the game.

“It’s the NFL, first drives happen, you see them all across the league,” said inside linebacker Elandon Roberts. “You want a three-and-out, but that’s an offense on the other side of the ball with pros and great athletes who been preparing like us all week. They came at us, and they were able to capitalize on their first drive.”

It was the second game in a row the Steelers’ defense produced three takeaways. Four of the six have come in the red zone. The Steelers lead the AFC with 11 takeaways.

What’s more, they have allowed just 86 points, fewest in the league among teams who have played six games.

“We’ll take them anywhere on the field can get them,” said Watt, who forced two fumbles against the Raiders, including one at the Steelers’ 1–yard line. “But when it’s in the red zone, you’re taking away points…and huge points.”

That’s what Watt did, two plays after the Raiders had a 6-yard touchdown wiped out by penalty. But his other forced fumble, at the Raiders 30, led to a Steelers touchdown that made it 12-7.

“After that play, we were able to get a score, and they had to play catch-up a little,” Heyward said. “We got them out of rhythm. Once we can get them out of rhythm, we can have a lot more success.”

Heyward had the Steelers’ only sack against O’Connell, and it came on a series in the fourth quarter when the team’s 35-year-old defensive captain looked like his vintage self.

After sacking O’Connell for a 9-yard loss on first down, Heyward hurried him into an incompletion on second down. On 3rd-and-19, Heyward pushed two Raiders linemen into the pocket when O’Connell’s pass was intercepted by cornerback Donte Jackson.

That led to the Steelers' final touchdown, a 7-yard run by quarterback Justin Fields and his second rushing touchdown of the game.

“There are still things to correct, even though we were able to win and win with a decent-sized margin,” Watt said. “But, I’d say, more importantly, is just starting the game fast. We need to hone in on starting the game faster.”