Steelers CB Sits Atop League Rankings for Impressive Stat

With Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson’s interception on Jimmy Garoppolo in the third quarter of Pittsburgh’s 23-18 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday night, he passed Harrison Smith for the most interceptions among active players with 35, per ESPN Stats & Info. Peterson has now registered at least one interception in each of his 13 NFL seasons, which is the league’s longest active streak. In addition, Peterson’s six interceptions are tied for the most in the NFL since the start of the 2022 season.

Under pressure, Garoppolo panicked and threw an ill-advised pass that landed into Peterson’s waiting arms. It was a pretty horrific decision by Jimmy G to throw into double coverage, but credit to Peterson for being in the right spot and making a play. The Steelers recorded three interceptions on the night, with Levi Wallace picking off two of them.

We'll take that 😏@P2 | 📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/T87FSng3KS pic.twitter.com/fWd5IVSrtN

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 25, 2023

Raiders All-Pro wide receiver Davonte Adams went off with 13 receptions for 172 yards (13.2 average) and two touchdowns. Adams was basically the Raiders’ entire offense, and he was certainly a handful for both Peterson and Wallace. The two veteran cornerbacks got burned by Adams for a 32-yard touchdown in the first quarter on a fourth-and-inches play.

Wallace bounced back in the second quarter with an interception that would result into a 43-yard field goal by Chris Boswell to give the Steelers a 10-7 advantage. Following Peterson’s interception in the third quarter, Kenny Pickett led the Steelers on a 6-play, 81-yard drive that got capped by a 13-yard touchdown pass to Pat Freiermuth to enhance Pittsburgh’s lead to 23-7.

With 12 seconds remaining and the Raiders needing to travel 85 yards for a a game-winning touchdown, Wallace picked off Garoppolo’s deep pass intended for Adams to secure the Steelers’ win. For the first time all year, the Steelers played contemporary football. The offense scored 10 points off two of the turnovers and Wallace called game at the end with his interception.

It’s been an up and down season so far for Peterson and the secondary overall. However, with it being his 13-year, this is not Peterson’s first rodeo. He knows how to deal with adversity and is the type of player that the younger guys can lean on when times get tough. After the game on the NBC postgame show, Peterson gave a shoutout to Steelers Nation for taking over Las Vegas.

“There’s nothing like this Steelers Nation, baby! They show up wherever we play,” Peterson said.

"There's nothing like this Steelers Nation, baby! They show up wherever we play."

– @P2 | @steelers pic.twitter.com/1PqlkMQm2z

— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 25, 2023