Steelers’ Epic 2018 Collapse Gave Derek Carr One Of His Favorite Career Moments

The Pittsburgh Steelers faced fierce competition back in Week 14 of 2018 at the Oakland Coliseum. Battling through injuries and playoff pressure, they came in as the favorite, but what unfolded that evening remains one of the more haunting memories of the Mike Tomlin era. Even today, that showdown resonates, so much so that quarterback Derek Carr recently ranked a specific play from that game against the Steelers as one of the top five moments of his entire career.

Carr recently sat down with the Home Grown Network to reflect on some of the most meaningful moments from his NFL career, and when it came time to rank his top five, he didn’t hesitate for a second to include his team’s dramatic 2018 win over the Steelers. 

"Number five, I'm going to go with the Pittsburgh Steelers game at home in 2018 in the Oakland Colosseum," Carr recalled.

Carr goes on to paint a vivid picture of that contest in Oakland. The crowd was practically shaking the stadium with every play, and both teams were fully locked in as the final moments of the game ticked away. It was the kind of atmosphere that demanded big plays and even bigger poise. However for Carr, what truly elevated the memory into one of the top five moments of his career wasn’t the noise or the stakes; it was the pure football instinct and in-the-moment chemistry between quarterback and receiver that managed to cut straight through the heart of the Steelers’ coverage.

"Black Hole, it was rocking," explained Carr of the Raiders' fan base. "We were in Topeka. I told Seth Roberts… 'If we get this play, I know it's a deep cross, but if we get two high, I want you to take the middle.' Seth didn’t care... They played two high... And Seth took Topeka right down the middle. We hit it... It's one of my favorite throws of my life."

Here, Carr spotlighted wide receiver Seth Roberts, who didn’t hesitate when Carr called an audible in a TV timeout. Facing two‑high safety coverage, a setup designed precisely to clamp down on deep crosses, Roberts claimed the seam, and Carr delivered. That 39‑yard strike ignited the game-changing drive that pushed the Raiders past the Steelers in a 24–21 win.

Under two‑high coverage, the Steelers’ safeties are expected to protect seams and force the quarterback into safer throws. Yet, Carr recognized the coverage shift, Roberts exploited it, and Pittsburgh’s secondary didn’t adjust in time. That breakdown wasn’t just physical, it was mental, and it handed them a major momentum swing. For the Steelers’ defense, it was a costly moment that highlighted a breakdown in situational awareness.

Carr’s full account underscores more than execution; it showcases trust. Roberts “didn’t care” about the audible, he accepted it. That snap‑of‑an‑eye buy‑in defines effective QB‑WR rooms. Against the Steelers, trust became a powerful weapon, and as fans know, Pittsburgh’s defense has long been a point of pride. When mistakes are made, the entire unit feels it.

This story matters because it’s not just about an opposing quarterback doing well. It’s about the Steelers’ defense being out-thought in a moment that cost them dearly.

Steelers Gave Carr A Moment To Remember

This encounter wasn’t another stat line, it was a moment of miscalculation and chemistry, pitting Carr’s quick thinking and Roberts’ instinct against the Steelers’ coverage. It’s why Carr still treasures that play, and why Pittsburgh fans should remember it too: it’s proof that even great defenses can be shaken when opponent trust and execution link up perfectly.

Do you think this kind of defensive breakdown was a one-off mistake, or part of a bigger issue for the Steelers' secondary during that era? Let us know in the comments!

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