What started off looking like another classic Steelers letdown of letting an inferior team with inferior players hang around only to pull out a close win turned into Pittsburgh scoring their second-most points in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era and defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 32-13.

The first two drives of this game were complete eye-rolls. After two first downs on their first two plays, the Steelers did what they’ve grown to do best — stall out after scared play-calling and bad execution to settle for a long field goal. On the ensuing Raiders drive, Las Vegas drove the ball 70 yards in 10 plays to score a touchdown and take a 7-3 lead.

The rest of the first half wasn’t anything to marvel at for the Steelers offensively, largely because of early-down penalties setting them back. On their second drive, a false start made it first and 15, which led to a five-yard loss on first down, put them in second and 20, and led to a three-and-out. The drive after that, Broderick Jones was flagged for holding on a nine-yard scramble from Fields that picked up a first down. Instead, it was second and 18. Darnell Washington was flagged for holding on a second and six carry that gained five yards setting up a second and 16 instead of third and one. Two plays later, Isaac Seumalo was called for holding to set up a first and 20 – need I continue? This has been a persistent problem all season, and one that this offense can’t overcome.

Now, while the offense took some time to find their footing, the defense did not. The Raiders didn’t score any more points after their first drive until the game was out of reach late in the fourth quarter. T.J. Watt forced two fumbles, including one at the goal line at the beginning of the fourth quarter that all but ended the game. Jeremiah Moon blocked a punt that set up a field goal, and Donte Jackson picked off Aidan O’Connell for his third interception of the year and set up the Steelers for a touchdown. In all, the Steelers had three takeaways, two turnovers on downs, and a blocked punt; they dominated on defense and special teams.

In terms of the offense, Najee Harris had his best game of the year. He ran for 106 yards on 7.6 yards per carry, and his 36-yard touchdown run is the second-longest touchdown of his career. This was by far the most dominant the run game has been all season, and it felt like a long time coming. The Steelers totaled 183 yards and three touchdowns on the ground and averaged over five yards per carry; that is the definition of owning the trenches.

Justin Fields was sporadic in the passing game. He missed multiple throws in the game, and from a pure passing perspective, this was his weakest performance as a Steeler. That said, he had his best day as a dual-threat since joining the Steelers and showed that his legs can make up for his arm when need be. Fields ran for 59 yards and two scores, including a fourth-down run that put the Steelers in front for good at the end of the first half. His second touchdown came on a beautiful play design. The Steelers faked a toss to the left while Mason McCormick pulled to the left and joined Isaac Seumalo to clear a lane for Fields to get into the end zone. I can understand the curiosity of Russell Wilson lingering, but Fields gives you that athletic aspect that Wilson simply does not have at this stage of his career. And after a 32-point performance, I’d be shocked if Fields gets yanked.

While it wasn’t pretty, I said I wanted to see the Steelers dominate a team that they should dominate because it’s something we rarely see. And credit where it’s due – after a slow start, they laid the hammer down and won convincingly. Now at 4-2, they remain tied with the Ravens atop the division ahead of a matchup with the New York Jets on Sunday Night Football in Pittsburgh next week.