Steelers Punter Stuns With Strong Boot against Raiders

LAS VEGAS — The Steelers win in Las Vegas on Sunday night went through a lot of turbulence. However, one part of the game that allowed the Steelers’ offense to survive another slow start was not just the defense’s play, but the punting game. Pressley Harvin III boomed punts all Sunday, averaging 53 yards per punt and pinning the Raiders back consistently. Due to Harvin, the Steelers won the field position battle handily.

f one thing about the past two weeks is true, this special teams group has something brewing. Between Chris Boswell, Calvin Austin III, and suddenly, Pressley Harvin III, the group has embraced itself well. Harvin has played unbelievably in the last two games. On Sunday, when the Steelers needed something to latch onto with a struggling offense and win the field position battle, Harvin flipped fields consistently.

If Harvin can continue this trend, it will be huge for the Steelers’ sputtering offense as they try to find traction. It allows the defense to pin their ears back and make plays with teams pinned deep into their end. It opens up the cache for several things. So, what Harvin has brought to the table over the last two games is invaluable for the Steelers, especially after the porous Week 1 performance against San Francisco. The Steelers have done almost everything right on special teams, and it shows.

“Should out to Pressley for those punts,” cornerback Levi Wallace said. “He flipped the field a few times and kept us in great field position all night.”

Harvin has responded in this fashion after being called out by Mike Tomlin in his Tuesday press conference following the team’s loss against the 49ers. But since then, Harvin has continued to elevate his game into another stratosphere. When they drafted him coming out of Georgia Tech, this was the guy they were hoping to see on the field.

Through the trials and tribulations, the team has seen Harvin through and into his third year. They may finally be getting rewarded for their patience with the former Ray Guy Award winning punter.