Let's just be honest, it's hard to imagine the Raiders coming away this week with a victory against the Steelers, but it is the NFL and anything can happen on any given week. The Raiders are coming off a lackluster performance against an underwhelming Dolphins team in Miami as they were just ran over by Reggie Bush and the running game. The Steelers beat the Jets last weekend to improve to 1-1 on the season. The last time these two teams met in Oakland was in 2006 with the Raiders picking off Roethlisberger 4 times in a 20-13 win. Let's take a look at this week's matchups and predict a winner.
Raiders Offense vs. Steelers Defense
The Raiders are still trying to find their running game as this come into this week averaging an NFL-worst 2.0 yards/carry. McFadden is struggling so far in the zone-blocking scheme, much like he did the first time Knapp was coordinator in Oakland. There should be some help to get the running game going this week as both safety Troy Polamalu and linebacker James Harrison will be out for this game. Still, the Steelers will be tough in the interior to run on. The Raiders will be without RT Khalif Barnes and RB's Mike Goodson and Taiwan Jones are questionable. Expect the Raiders to pass a lot, much like they have the first two games.
Advantage: Steelers
Raiders Defense vs. Steelers Offense
The Raiders are extremely thin at CB and will most likely use Michael Huff as a starting CB alongside backup Pat Lee. Starting CB's Shawntae Spencer and Ron Bartell are both out and Matt Giordano will probably fill in at safety for Huff. The Steelers will still be without Rashard Mendenhall at running back and will probably use a lot of three wide receiver sets to utilize their speed and matchup problems with the Raiders depleted secondary. The best way for the Raiders to attack on defense is to get after the quarterback with their front four to get sacks and force turnovers. They will not be able to slow the Steelers down offensive so their best bet is to do something they haven't done yet this year: turn the other team over. It looks to be a long day on both sides of the football for the Silver and Black.
Advantage: Steelers
Special Teams
The Raiders might be without Janikowski as he is listed as questionable and of course are without Jacoby Ford who is out for the season. The Steelers have a pretty good return man in Antonio Brown and are solid in the kicking game. The Raiders have struggled so far on punt coverages.
Advantage: Steelers
Prediction: Steelers 21, Raiders 10
Record to Date: 0-2
Raiders Offense vs. Steelers Defense
The Raiders are still trying to find their running game as this come into this week averaging an NFL-worst 2.0 yards/carry. McFadden is struggling so far in the zone-blocking scheme, much like he did the first time Knapp was coordinator in Oakland. There should be some help to get the running game going this week as both safety Troy Polamalu and linebacker James Harrison will be out for this game. Still, the Steelers will be tough in the interior to run on. The Raiders will be without RT Khalif Barnes and RB's Mike Goodson and Taiwan Jones are questionable. Expect the Raiders to pass a lot, much like they have the first two games.
Advantage: Steelers
Raiders Defense vs. Steelers Offense
The Raiders are extremely thin at CB and will most likely use Michael Huff as a starting CB alongside backup Pat Lee. Starting CB's Shawntae Spencer and Ron Bartell are both out and Matt Giordano will probably fill in at safety for Huff. The Steelers will still be without Rashard Mendenhall at running back and will probably use a lot of three wide receiver sets to utilize their speed and matchup problems with the Raiders depleted secondary. The best way for the Raiders to attack on defense is to get after the quarterback with their front four to get sacks and force turnovers. They will not be able to slow the Steelers down offensive so their best bet is to do something they haven't done yet this year: turn the other team over. It looks to be a long day on both sides of the football for the Silver and Black.
Advantage: Steelers
Special Teams
The Raiders might be without Janikowski as he is listed as questionable and of course are without Jacoby Ford who is out for the season. The Steelers have a pretty good return man in Antonio Brown and are solid in the kicking game. The Raiders have struggled so far on punt coverages.
Advantage: Steelers
Prediction: Steelers 21, Raiders 10
Record to Date: 0-2
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