Steelers rookie QB Kenny Pickett hits Najee Harris for his first profession TD cross

PITTSBURGH — Making his first residence begin at Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett got here by with his first landing cross of his profession on the Steelers’ opening drive in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Pickett accomplished a 6-yard cross to operating again Najee Harris to cap off the drive. The primary-round decide went 5-for-5 for 37 yards and helped the offense rating a landing on a gap drive for the primary time since Week 10 in opposition to the Detroit Lions final season.

Pickett opened up the drive with three straight completions to receivers George Pickens, Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool. Later, to arrange the rating, Pickett rushed for 10 yards up the center on a damaged play on third-and-11 after Kevin Dotson’s false begin penalty almost foiled the Steelers’ first purple zone journey. Operating again Jaylen Warren then picked up the conversion on fourth down.

Pickett was making his second begin of his profession after taking on for Mitch Trubisky at halftime in Week 4 in opposition to the New York Jets.

The Steelers’ 13-game streak with out a gap drive landing was tied with the Giants for the longest lively streak within the league, per ESPN Stats & Info. In giving up the landing, Tampa Bay has allowed 27 factors on opening drives this season, at the moment essentially the most within the league, in keeping with ESPN Stats & Info.

A heavy underdog in opposition to Tom Brady and the Buccaneers, the Steelers obtained their residence crowd riled up early once they launched Pickett for the primary time, and he rewarded them with six factors.