Steelers score late touchdown to keep playoff hopes alive for the night as late Franco Harris’ number retires

The Pittsburgh Steelers led by just 46 seconds Saturday night — but that was all they needed.

Those 46 seconds were the final 46ers, as rookie star George Pickens caught the game-winning touchdown on the Steelers’ final drive of the night.

The score – from one rookie (Kenny Pickett) to another – gave the Steelers a 13-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

The gutsy performance came the same night the franchise retired #32 Franco Harris, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of his immaculate reception, also against the Raiders.

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Harris passed away earlier this week, just days before he was able to celebrate his anniversary on Friday and see his figure in the rafters.

The Steelers wore their throwback jersey, as well as a patch commemorating the iconic play, for the occasion.

Acrisure Stadium snowed all night, so neither team did anything offensive. In fact, the Steelers actually missed two field goals in the negative four-degree wind chill. There were eight hits on the night and four interceptions (three thrown by Raiders’ Derek Carr).

But somehow, the Steelers’ offense held up a late run after being muted for the first three quarters. With their first drive of the fourth quarter, they kicked a field goal to make the deficit 10-6. Both teams traded punts, and after the Steelers forced three plays, they had less than three minutes to score a touchdown to keep their season alive.

Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after his interception during the third quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Acrisure Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Justin Pearl / Getty Images)

STEELERS players honor Franco Harris by wearing the jersey before retracting his late back number

The drive that started at the 24-yard line took 10 plays, one of which was a huge fourth and 1 QB run to keep the drive alive. On the next play, Pickett found Pickens in the end zone. In fact, this trip was the first time they had entered the all-night red zone. But better late than never.

Carr had a chance to tie the game, but threw an interception on the ball game (no pun intended).

Pickett threw for 244 yards, 75 of them on game winning runs, on 26 of 39 passes. Four Steelers (Pat Friermuth, Deontay Johnson, Negri Harris, and Pickens) each had at least five starts. All but Harris had over 55 yards.

Alex Highsmith, player for the Pittsburgh Steelers, 56, celebrates after being removed from his position during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Pittsburgh, Saturday, December 24, 2022.
(AP Photo/Fred Fuesch)

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The Steelers (7-8) will take on the Baltimore Ravens, who clinched a playoff spot earlier in the day, in Week 17, while the 6-9 Raiders will host the NFC West San Francisco 49ers on New Year’s Day.