Steelers' Najee Harris Says It Is Terrifying Playing In So Many Tight Games

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a knack for stressing their fans out all the way down until the last whistle of the fourth quarter. Typically, games within the AFC North are always close and come down to one score. Also, having a struggling offense, but a good enough defense to keep the team in the game, often leads to games that are decided by one score. Steelers third-year running back, Najee Harris spoke about his experience and how he feels playing in so many tight games.

So far in the 2023 NFL season, every game the Steelers have played in has come down to one score, besides their two blowout losses to the San Francisco 49ers and the Houston Texans. 

Even their Week 3 win against the Las Vegas Raiders came down to the last minute despite Pittsburgh having a 23-7 lead going into the fourth quarter. A two possession lead late in a game doesn't mean the game is over for the Steelers, as they typically find a way to keep fans on the edge of their seats all the way until the clock hits triple zeros. 

Steelers' Harris Says It Is "Scary" Playing In Close Games

The close games have been a huge conversation starter since the Steelers Week 7 win against the Los Angeles Rams, where they had to play well in the fourth quarter in order to take the lead and also keep the lead. This has sparked many discussions about how the Steelers are good late in games and second-year quarterback, Kenny Pickett's ability to be clutch. Harris was asked about this late-game success and why it happens in his press conference on Thursday. 

"I don't know. I mean it's scary though because it can go either way. It's the NFL though. Every game is not going to be a blowout, but since I've been here it's been all tight games."

The NFL certainly does see a lot of close games, but it sure would be nice to witness a stress-free Steelers victory. Ever since Harris got to Pittsburgh back in 2021, it has been nothing but close victories for the Steelers. The Steelers have had a lackluster offense in all of those years that has been carried by the defense, which has kept them in games until late in contests when the offense can finally catch its stride. 

The NFL has been a lot different for Harris than his time at Alabama, which makes sense since he is now playing professional football. Harris won two National Championships during his time playing football at the collegiate level. He played at Alabama during one of its many peaks, where they even blew out Ohio State in the championship by a score of 52-24. A reporter jokingly asked Harris if he misses playing in some of those non-conference college football games. 

"Oh, it sure would be nice to have some of those, huh?"

For example, during Harris's second college football season, Alabama had a couple games where they played teams like Arkansas State and The Citadel. These are clearly not football schools and Alabama would win those games by scores of 57-7 and 50-17, respectively. There were games for Harris in college where he and the rest of the starters would only need to play the first half and then enjoy watching their backups still be successful for the rest of the game.

All Steelers fans will be hoping for some of those Alabama-esque blowouts that Harris experienced during his college days, and Harris surely wants some stress-free fourth quarters as well. It likely won't happen in Week 8 as the 5-2 Jacksonville Jaguars come to town on Sunday. However, the Steelers do have games against the Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, and Arizona Cardinals. Hopefully Pittsburgh can find a way to win those games in a dominating fashion.

What did you think about Harris' comments about playing in tight games? Let us know in the comments below!

#SteelerNation