Steelers score late touchdown to keep playoff hopes alive the night they retire late Franco Harris’ number

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

Those 46 seconds were the last 46, as rookie George Pickens caught the game-winning touchdown in the Steelers’ final practice of the night.

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

The bold performance came the same night the franchise retired No. 32 Franco Harris, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the immaculate reception, also against the Raiders.

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Harris died earlier this week, just days before he could celebrate the birthday on Friday and see his number in the rafters.

The Steelers wore their throwback jersey, along with a crest commemorating the iconic piece’s anniversary, for the occasion.

Snow fell in Acrisure Stadium all night, so neither team really did much on offense. In fact, the Steelers actually missed two field goals in the negative four-degree wind chill. There were eight punts on the night and four interceptions (three thrown by Derek Carr of the Raiders).

But somehow the Steelers offense revealed it late after being quiet for the first three quarters. With their first drive of the fourth quarter, they threw a field goal to make it a 10-6 deficit. The two teams traded punts, and after the Steelers forced a three-and-out, they had less than three minutes to score a touchdown to keep their season alive.

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

STEELERS PLAYERS HONOR FRANCO HARRIS BY WEARING HIS JERSEY BEFORE RETIRING LATE RUNNING BACK NUMBER

The drive that started on their own 24-yard line took 10 plays, including a huge 4th and 1 QB sneak to keep the drive alive. The next play, Pickett found Pickens in the end zone. In fact, this ride was the first time all night that they had even entered the red zone. But better late than never.

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

Pickett threw for 244 yards, including 75 on the game-winning drive, on 26 of 39 passes. Four Steelers (Pat Freiermuth, Diontae Johnson, Najree Harris and Pickens) each had at least five catches. All but Harris had more than 55 receiving yards.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) celebrates after a sack during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022.
(AP Photo/Fred Vuich)

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