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          Steelers rookie QB Kenny Pickett hits Najee Harris for first career TD pass

          • Brooke Pryor, ESPN Staff WriterOct 16, 2022, 05:38 PM
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            • Previously covered the Kansas City Chiefs for the Kansas City Star and Oklahoma University for the Oklahoman.
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          PITTSBURGH -- Making his first home start at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday, Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett came through with the first touchdown pass of his NFL career on the Steelers' opening drive against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

          Pickett completed a 6-yard pass to running back Najee Harris to cap off the drive. The first-round draft pick went 5-for-5 for 37 yards and helped the offense score a touchdown on an opening drive for the first time since Week 10 against the Detroit Lions last season.

          Pickett opened up the drive with three straight completions to receivers George Pickens, Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool. Later, to set up the score, Pickett rushed for 10 yards up the middle on a broken third-and-11 play after Kevin Dotson's false start penalty nearly foiled the Steelers' first red zone trip. Running back Jaylen Warren then picked up the conversion on fourth down.

          Pickett, who was later ruled out in the third quarter with a concussion, was making the second start of his career after taking over for Mitch Trubisky at halftime in Week 4 against the New York Jets.

          The Steelers' 13-game streak without an opening-drive touchdown was tied with the New York Giants for the longest active streak in the league, per ESPN Stats & Information research. In giving up the touchdown, Tampa Bay has allowed 27 points on opening drives this season, currently the most in the league, according to ESPN Stats & Info research.

          A heavy underdog against Tom Brady and the Buccaneers, the Steelers got their home crowd riled up early when they introduced Pickett for the first time, and he rewarded them with six points.