Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Oakland Raiders Preview
I’m old enough to remember when the Steelers-Raiders rivalry was actually meaningful. In fact, it was one of the biggest rivalries in the NFL.
Those days are long past, and Sunday’s game will merely feature two teams fighting to stay on top of their respective divisions.
At 6-3, the Steelers are tied with the Baltimore Ravens for the lead in the AFC North. Meanwhile, the 5-4 Raiders are tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for the lead in the AFC West.
Despite the fact that the two teams are no longer bitter rivals, this is an important game for both teams.
The Steelers are coming off of a demoralizing loss to the New England Patriots, and they desperately need to get back to their winning ways.
The Raiders are coming off of a bye week, and have had two weeks to prepare for the Steelers. They’d love nothing more than to show that last year’s 27-24 victory over the Steelers was not a fluke.
The Raiders have the 2nd ranked rushing offense in the NFL. They are averaging 162.2 yards per game. Only their division rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, run for more yards per game than the Raiders.
The Raiders’ rushing attack is led by running back Darren McFadden. McFadden is finally showing the skills that many expected to see from him when he came out of college. He’s averaging 5.4 yards per carry, and is proving to be one of the more dangerous running backs in the league.
Raiders' RB Darren McFadden
However, we know what the Steelers do to dangerous running backs. Just ask Chris Johnson, Or Ray Rice. Or Ronnie Brown. Or Michael Turner. Or…..well, you get the picture.
This should be a classic match-up of immovable object versus irresistable force. In this case, I’m gonna put my money on the immovable object; the Steelers’ run defense.
I project a Steelers win. Final score Steelers 24, Raiders 13.
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I can’t go rah rah on this one. The Raiders have tremendous speed now at wide out. We have Willie Gay to cover. We had a very credible Max Starks; the replacement Scott looked like a turnstile against the Pats.
Now I’m hearing Troy has leg strain issues. That is worrrisome. I am really hpoing that Kemo and Kiesel are back in the lineup.
I believe McFadden gets stopped. The bigger question to me is “Do we control the short passing game and do they pressure Campbell, Gradkowski ; whoever is back there?
Crossroads game to me. Win and the Steelers are back in the hunt. Lose and bashing may start on Mike Tomlin in addition to the Anti-Arians.
1Agreed Jeff. This is a critical gut-check game for the Black -n-Gold. Keisel is out. Interestingly, Eason has been announced as the starter in his place. Not good for Mr Hood! I would feel better if during this week I heard the Steelers say that they looked at the tape and understand what adjustments need to be made, etc. All I’ve heard is that we didn’t play well. No s#*t Sherlock! Also does the beginning and the end of Tomlin’s “Accountability” proclamation conclude with Reed. Any more changes this week? Psst…nickel back?? (If Lewis and Butler are a significant step down from Gay, why are they on the freakin roster? BTW would anyone have grabbed either of them if they were waived ala Gibson!?) I say that you have to go after Campbell hard. Hit him & get him frazzled. We have to shift gears and be aggressive. On Offense get Ben going. Pass to set up the run. Pass on first down. Loosen things up then come back with the run -but please not in a two tight end set with Hines in motion and stopping at the tackle–everyone has seen enough of that!
2Jeff, you last comment is true. While I would never root for a loss. Arians has to go.
John#21,
Eason is starting for Keisel because Hood is starting for Aaron Smith. Remember?
As far as using other defensive backs goes, I would definitely like to know how Keenan Lewis would fare in place of William Gay. But the coaches see them everyday, and they must feel that Gay is better (as scary as that sounds).
3