As we’ve completed prior to now, under are the keys and my prediction of the Pittsburgh Steelers profitable (or dropping) immediately’s sport. Three issues that have to occur for them to finish up on the correct aspect of the rating and vice versa of their Week 6 sport in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders.
My Steelers’ prediction is on the backside.
The Steelers Will Win If…
1. The Stress’s On Aidan O’Connell, Particularly From D-Line
Figuratively and actually. Pittsburgh’s go rush is hurting with out Nick Herbig and Alex Highsmith and the Raiders will focus all their power on T.J. Watt. Nonetheless, the Steelers should get dwelling and stress O’Connell, a second-year enjoying making the primary begin of 2024. Our pre-draft scouting report famous he struggles when pressured and the Steelers can get after him in opposition to a younger o-line that’s handled a little bit of damage.
However the Steelers should additionally get forward and cease the Raiders’ run sport. Pressure O’Connell to win this one with out staying on-schedule. That’d be asking rather a lot out of him and may put Pittsburgh in place for a convincing victory.
2. George Pickens Bounces Again
It’s been a loud week for Pickens and for all of the mistaken causes. Regardless of the place you fall on the priority meter, he wants an excellent efficiency to quiet the critics, simply as he did final 12 months in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals. This can be a secondary the Steelers can throw on and Pickens ought to get the ball early, one thing the workforce did a poor job of in final week’s loss. I’d count on a different-looking sport plan and field rating this time round.
3. Brock Bowers Will get Bracketed
With Davante Adams out and Jakobi Meyers possible following go well with, the Raiders don’t have a lot at receiver. That can make them much more reliant on rookie TE Brock Bowers, although he’s coming into this sport main the workforce in targets, receptions, yards, and large performs.
Pittsburgh ought to deal with him like a receiver and bracket him on possession downs, those they’ve been dropping far too usually the previous two video games. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to place CB Joey Porter Jr. or FS Minkah Fitzpatrick on him if the scenario requires it. Bowers can’t run free.
The Steelers Will Lose If…
1. Pittsburgh Can’t Run On Raiders 5-2 Entrance
The Raiders’ statistically haven’t had an excellent run protection this season and dropping star DT Christian Wilkins to a foot damage is a significant blow. Nonetheless, they current some schematic challenges. Their 5-2 entrance they use on early downs, even in opposition to 11 personnel, is one thing the Steelers have had hassle having success in opposition to in recent times by different groups. Onerous to get a runway going for somebody like RB Najee Harris.
After two disappointing/underwhelming showings in opposition to the Colts and Cowboys, there’s no assure the Steelers will discover their groove on the bottom immediately. Although having Jaylen Warren and the identical beginning 5 for the primary time in back-to-back video games this 12 months does assist.
2. Raiders’ Offensive Pace Wins
The Raiders don’t have the firepower to drag off cohesive 15-play drives in opposition to the Steelers. They’re lacking an excessive amount of offensively. However hitting an enormous play can erase that want. There’s some velocity right here with WR Tre Tucker and Bowers has been a YAC monster this season. Pittsburgh has been permitting the large play too usually the final two video games. Solely the Jacksonville Jaguars have allowed greater than the Steelers 9 the final two weeks. Las Vegas might be trying to find the large play in opposition to Pittsburgh’s protection.
3. Steelers Get Sloppy
Fear about Steelers beating Steelers. Turnovers, penalties, defensive communication persevering with to battle. It might be a Steelers-like factor to observe occur and a trigger within the workforce’s dropping streak. Pittsburgh is the higher workforce. However that doesn’t all the time imply they win. Permitting the Raiders to hold round is a recipe for catastrophe.
Prediction
Steelers: 20
Raiders: 16
Season Prediction Document
(2-3, a three-game wrongness skid)
