For the second consecutive year, the Pittsburgh Steelers will travel to Las Vegas to play the Raiders. With the Steelers losing two straight after a scorching 3-0 start and the Raiders coming off a 34-18 flogging by the Denver Broncos, both clubs are in the opposite direction.
A number of ailments are plaguing both sides, including the Steelers’ Jaylen Warren, Nick Herbig, and Alex Highsmith. Maxx Crosby, Jakobi Meyers, and Davante Adams of the Raiders are still out at the same moment. For the past three weeks, Crosby, a possible Defensive Player of the Year candidate (+900 on DraftKings), has been battling a high ankle injury.
In favor of Aidan O. Connell, the Raiders (2-3) benched starting quarterback Gardner Minshew. Although Justin Fields appears to be starting this game, Russell Wilson lurches in the background for the Steelers.
Here are my predictions for the Steelers vs. Raiders game, which is quickly approaching:
On Sunday, September 22, 2024, in Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) plays defense during an NFL football game.Photo by Matt Durisko/AP
Players on the spot: This week, T.J. Watt and the other Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebackers must play well. Even with O Connell leading the Raiders, this offense is not a threat. Minshew could be unpredictable in the pocket at times, while O Connell is more stable and can put the ball into tighter openings. However, the Steelers will probably have Ade Ogundeji and Jeremiah Moon opposite Watt in the absence of Highsmith, Herbig, and DeMarvin Leal (+350 DPOY chances on DraftKings).
The Raiders offense is likely to be undermanned, and the Steelers may be without Jakobi Meyers, Michael Mayer, Zamir White, and possibly several offensive linemen in addition to Daavante Adams. In summary, the Steelers must exert pressure and demonstrate that their defense remains among the best in the league. This matchup should be dominated by them.
You shouldn’t be shocked if…Maxx Crosby simply turns into the Raiders’ one-man wrecking crew. Crosby’s matchup with Steelers right tackle Broderick Jones may be the game’s biggest mismatch. Crosby has a special ability to take over games, and Jones has had a difficult season. In the absence of Christian Wilkins, the Raiders will need to find inventive ways to free him up for some looks because he nearly always lines up over the right tackle as well. Antonio Pierce, the head coach of LV, is renowned for creating some distinctive outfits for his blitzers, so that shouldn’t be too difficult. Anticipate that the Raiders will concentrate on that game and attempt to give Crosby one-on-one opportunities to defeat Jones and cause chaos in the backfield. Since the Steelers will always need to put at least two players on him, Crosby may be the cause of the rest of the chaos if he isn’t the one causing it.
On Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) sprints after a reception during an NFL football game. (Photo courtesy of Matt Durisko)AP
I LIKE PROP BETS:
Both clubs’ first-quarter total was less than 6.5 points (FanDuel, +132).
Anytime TD score for George Pickens (bet365, +220)
Over 225 passing yards for Justin Fields (DraftKings, +360)
PREDICTION: This game should be won by the Steelers. On both sides of the football pitch, they are mismatched. No matter how you look at it, Las Vegas is shorthanded and has a new quarterback. In addition to their losses to the Colts and Cowboys, the Steelers’ loss in this game would put them in the lowest tier of Mike Tomlin’s losses over the years. The Steelers need this victory, and Tomlin’s teams typically perform at their peak during this time. They would be on-brand if they scraped the floor with the Raiders, but given the Steelers’ offensive style, this might also be close. I’ll take the Steelers to win and cover, but if they lose, we should probably talk about this team in a different way.Raiders 13, Steelers 21.
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Nick Farabaugh