Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Oakland Raiders: Preview, Prediction, TV and more
By Matt Shetler
Keys for Raiders:
Oct 13, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; (EDITORS NOTE: caption correction) Oakland Raiders quarterback Terelle Pryor (2) takes the snap during the first half of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
1. Force Turnovers: The Steelers haven’t turned the ball over in back-to-back weeks after coughing it up regularly during the first four games. However strange things happen when the Steelers visit Oakland. The Raiders beat the Steelers in 2009 and 2012 by forcing Steelers mistakes. The recipe needs to be the same on Sunday.
2. Run the football: The first four weeks of the season the Steelers opposition had success running the football, especially on first down. The Raiders need to get into second and third and short situations to keep the pressure off of Pryor. Running is not a strength of the Raiders, but they are going to have to find a way.
Oakland hopes Darren McFadden can post another strong performance against the Steelers after rushing for 113 yards, including a 64-yard TD, in last season’s victory. Plagued by a hamstring injury, McFadden has been limited to 90 yards on 33 attempts in his last three games since gaining 129 on 19 carries during a 19-9 win over Jacksonville on Sept. 15.
3. Locate Troy Polamalu: The Steelers safety had a different look in his eye last Sunday in the second half and was all over the field. It just feels like Polamalu is ready to have a huge game and that means Pryor must locate him on every snap or the Steelers’ safety is going to come up with a game changing play.
Key Matchup:
Ike Taylor vs. Denarius Moore
Moore has had 20 receptions for 356 yards and three touchdowns over the last four games. However he faces a stiff challenge in Pittsburgh’s Taylor, who has held the likes of A.J. Green, Marshall and Torrey Smith to a combined 14 catches for 154 yards and no TDs against the Steelers this season.
Moore had five receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown versus the Steelers last season and if Taylor keeps him in check, the Raiders likely don’t have enough other weapons to in the game.
Prediction: The Steelers are on a mini roll but this seems like a trap game for them. They tend to not play their best against lower competition, but I don’t think that will be the case this week. Throw in the fact that the Raiders have lost 10 straight after a bye and I like the Steelers big. Steelers 27, Raiders 13.