NFL Week 3 Preview- Steelers Offense vs Raiders Defense



Big Ben & Co. Could Have a Field Day in the
"Black Hole" this Sunday

 
- Mason Noland (@m_noland386)

When the Steelers travel to Oakland on Sunday, it will be the renewal of a rivalry that stems back to the 1970's, when both teams were often laying claim to the Lombardi Trophy. While the Raiders have fallen on hard times over the last 10-15 years of terrible management, the Steelers have kept chugging along, still competing for Super Bowls. This is not to say however there have not been some great games despite Oakland's ineptitude. The recent example I can give it the 2009 season where the Raiders, led by Pittsburgh native Bruce Gradkowski, came to Heinz Field and upset the Steelers in dramatic fashion. This was the only time in that horrific five game losing streak that I was legitimately angry. I'm not so sure anything like that should happen this weekend however. Let's take a look at how the Steelers offense should fair against the Silver and Black defense.

As Jeff has pointed out, These are not your father's Pittsburgh Steelers. This is a passing team, and as well it should be. Even Phil Simms was lauding the talent Pittsburgh has at receiver. That's high praise considering I'm convinced Simms hates the black n' gold. This conversion to a passing team seems to have been an inevitability, but with the way our running backs are running the football, its verging on necessity. Pittsburgh's leading rusher is Jonathan Dwyer, who isn't even the starter. Dwyer impressed me with limited carries against Denver, but didn't carry that momentum into the Jets game. Our starting running back, Isaac Redman, who many people, self included, were expecting more from is averaging a paltry 2.0 yards per carry. This is hardly the second coming of Jerome Bettis.

I will give you the fact that the Steelers have played two of the better defenses in the league in the past two weeks, but the rushing attack has looked stagnate. Its almost teetering on the edge of embarrassing. I do think one of the best ways to get our ground game moving in the right direction, and build confidence is playing a team that cannot stop the run. Now Pittsburgh travels to Oakland. The Raiders shut down San Diego's running game in week one, but the Chargers were without top back Ryan Matthews, and seemed to abandon the run all together. The Raiders then took on Miami last week, and the Dolphins, led by Reggie Bush, ran wild on the Silver and Black to the tune of 263 rushing yards. Dwyer and Redman are not Reggie Bush, but if they can get the tough yards, it might allow for Chris Rainey to get loose outside. The Raiders front seven doesn't strike fear in the hearts of opposing offenses. Outside of Richard Seymour, who is one of the best Defensive Lineman of the past 15 years, their defensive line is very substandard. They also have one linebacker worth writing home about in Rolando McClain. This defensive front could be the elixir our running game needs to kick into gear. The other possible upgrade could be Rashard Mendenhall. Coach Tomlin told Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette that he's going to get "Bumped" in practice. I'm not sure if this is Coach Tomlin putting up a smoke screen, or if he really might play. My guess is he's giving the Raiders coaches something to think about.

Now that we've talked about the Steelers weakness going against the "Strength" of the Raiders defense, let's examine the Steelers strength versus the Raiders weakness. The Steelers receiving corps, tight ends included, should have their way with this Raiders Secondary. Their Free Safety, Michael Huff is a pretty good player, but the rest of his battery mates are not good NFL players. Shawnte Spencer and Pat Lee are starters with Joselio Hanson as the third corner. The Steelers actually have acquired DeMarcus Van Dyke, who started four games for the Raiders last year. (On the Steelers roster are defensive backs that would have been their first, second, or even third best corner on this Raiders team.) The Raiders weak secondary could lead to some very high production from Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders. I could actually see any of them having huge days. Todd Haley could very well motion any one of them into the slot to use their speed to exploit Hanson. Haley would be wise in keeping Heath Miller active as well. I cannot see any of the linebackers or Strong Safety, Tyvon Branch covering him. Miller is being used as he should have been over the years, as a huge red zone target. I look for this to be a game ruled by the Receiving corps of the Steelers.

The Raiders defense lacks depth and talent due to the mismanagement and drafting sins of the past. This could very well lead to a very explosive game for the Steelers offense, both on the ground, and through the air. I can see huge days from our speed players, like Chris Rainey and the "Young Money Crew" at wide receiver. Without even looking at how the Steelers Defense plays against the Raiders offense, I can see this game getting out of hand, much like the last meeting in 2010 where the Steelers won handily, 35-3. The "Black Hole" is a tough place to play. The Raiders did turn Ben Roethlisberger over several times in 2006 to beat the Steelers 13-20. I don't see that happening. Good teams beat the teams the are supposed to beat.

Mason Noland's Prediction -

Steelers - 38 / Raiders -10