Final score: Raiders 26, Steelers 17

Derek Carr showed his grit. Henry Ruggs showed his speed. Gus Bradley’s defense showed its toughness and your Las Vegas Raiders are rolling.

Let’s take a quick instant review of the game:

Records:
The Raiders are 2-0. The Steelers are 1-1

Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

What it means:
The Raiders just beat two good teams to start the season strong and show they are, indeed, an improved team with timely explosiveness on offense and much better defense.

Turning point:
The Raiders took a 16-7 lead in the third quarter on a touchdown pass from Carr to backup tight end Foster Moreau on a play Carr got shaken up. After Pittsburgh cut the led to 16-14, Carr came up big with a 61-yard bomb for touchdown to give the Raiders a 23-14 lead with nine minutes to go.

Injury report:
The Raiders came into this game banged up after last week’s win over the Baltimore Ravens and more injury issues popped up in Pittsburgh. Starting cornerback Casey Heyward was banged up while breaking up a pass in the end zone in the second quarter, but he seemed to be OK. Las Vegas rookie tackle Alex Leatherwood did not return for the second half with an oblique injury (those can linger), Brand Parker finished the game on a makeshift offensive line. The Steelers played most of the game without four key defensive players, including star linebacker T.J. Watt. Carr played through an ankle injury that initially looked bad. Las Vegas linebacker Denzel Perryman and cornerback Trayvon Mullen were both hurt in the third quarter. Mullen returned. Las Vegas safety Dallin Leavitt suffered a possible concussion in the fourth quarter.

What’s next:
The Raiders go back home to Allegiant Stadium to host the Miami Dolphins next Sunday. Kickoff is at 1:05 p.m. The Dolphins will be coming off a Week 2 shutout loss to the Buffalo Bills.