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Steeler Nation is a world-wide army that lives and dies with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Six-Time Super Bowl Champions are a franchise whose tradition dictates a standard of excellence, and their fans expect nothing less year in and year out. Those very same ideals translate to the ultimate Pittsburgh Steelers GameDay Preview, a guide that all Pittsburgh fans read weekly to learn everything they need to know about the Steelers and their upcoming opponent! Pittsburgh SportsNation, aka Mike Drakulich (@PghSportsNation), who covers both Pitt football and the Steelers for NGSC Sports, brings you inside the huddle for both teams with the Keys to Victory, The Game Scoop and score prediction, Game Day Information, a detailed breakdown of each team and starting line-ups, and an up to date team injury report. Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff. The only thing you’re missing is a game uniform.
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-8) vs Las Vegas Raiders (6-8)
NFL Week 16
Game-time: Saturday, December 24th, 8:15 PM
- Vegas line: Pittsburgh -2.5
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.
- Field: Kentucky Blue Grass
Keys to Victory
Offense
- Channel Franco: Feed Najee Harris the ball 20-25 times and let him soften up the Raiders defense.
- Strike deep: Pickett is back and it is a good opportunity for the young quarterback to hit some deep shots vs a vulnerable Las Vegas secondary.
Defense
- Stop the run: The Raiders will pound the ball with Josh Jacobs, who leads the league in rushing. It is key to limit big runs and minimize the Raiders rushing attack.
- Punish Carr: Give Carr little time to get comfy in the pocket… bring the dogs and pressure Carr into forced throws and get a turnover or two.
The Game Scoop
There have been some brutal rivalries that the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-8) have been involved in over the years. The Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, and Cincinnati Bengals are a staple every year–Baltimore being the fiercest. But when you invoke memories of the 70’s, the Dallas Cowboys and the Raiders are as immortalized as any rivalry in Steelers History.
The most famous play in the history of the league happened between the Steelers and Raiders back in 1972.
Back then, an upstart Pittsburgh team, that had known nothing but defeat throughout their history, were down to the final play of a Divisional Playoff game vs Oakland.
Terry Bradshaw dropped back to pass, scrambled a bit, and threw the ball downfield towards WR Frenchy Fuqua, and the ball deflected off of Jack Tatum who came in with a kill shot on Fuqua, and it appeared Pittsburgh was headed for a tough loss… but, the ball that was deflected off the shoulder of Tatum ended up in the hands of rookie RB Franco Harris, who ran down the sidelines and into the endzone, sending the Steelers to the most unbelievable win ever, and forever being known as the Immaculate Reception.
That play changed the Steelers from losers to winners overnight, and though they lost to Miami the following week, it was the start of an era that would turn the Steelers into the most storied franchise in the NFL, winning four Super Bowls in six years, and adding two more in the 2000’s to lead the NFL with six Lombardi Trophies till New England tied them in 2019.
Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception, and this week was meant to be a celebration of that play, and of Franco Harris, whom the Steelers were also set to retire his number… however, on Wednesday, the NFL world woke to devastating news that Harris, only 72, had passed during the night.
Harris had no known illnesses, and looked to be in great shape. He appeared on several TV and radio shows over the previous days, and was looking forward to the Christmas Eve game between the two old rivals, and the celebration of his catch and seeing his number retired.
“Before Franco, we hadn’t done very much,” said Steelers legend Mean Joe Greene back in October. “After Franco, we didn’t do much, either. But during Franco, we did a lot.”
Greene, who also has his number retired, was crushed upon hearing the news on Wednesday,
“I’m thinking that I’m having a nightmare, and I want someone to wake me up so I can get over this terrible feeling,” Greene said. “They don’t get any better than Franco.”
Several Steelers of this era had developed a bond with Franco, including starting running back Najee Harris.
“He’s like family, you know?” Najee said.
Kenny Pickett returns as the starter for the Steelers at quarterback, after missing last week with a concussion.
It was Franco who called out Pickett’s name on stage for the Steelers 1st Round Selection at the 2022 NFL Draft.
“One of the best moments of my life,” Pickett said Thursday. “Outside of family and getting engaged, it was on that draft night. It was really special. Seeing the emotion he had when I was drafted and how he intro’d the call. It’s obvious he’s so special, but the way he did it made it even more so.”
Now Pickett and his team has to focus on channeling that feeling of loss to bringing home the 7th win of the season.
“He would want us to be focused and go out to practice and practice hard and go get the win on Saturday,” Pickett said. “We’re definitely playing for him this week.”
The Raiders (6-8) boast the league’s top rusher in Josh Jacobs, and they will undoubtedly pound the ball with as much as possible, but you can also expect QB Derek Carr to feed star wideout Devante Adams downfield, too, so the Steelers defense had better be ready to bring their A-Game this Saturday night at Acrisure Stadium, where it will be bitter cold contest on Christmas Eve.
If there was ever a game in Steelers history that you say, “Not today” to defeat, it will be this one, whom the team wants to elevate their play, and honor the late Franco Harris with a victory.
Expect an inspired Najee Harris to channel #32 and accomplish his first 100 yard game of the season, and for Kenny Pickett to find a receiver or two (say Diontae Johnson for his 1st of the season–IF he plays) to a rousing victory over the Raiders on what will be a cold night filled with heavy hearts and tears over a legend that meant so much to this city and region for his play and generosity through charity, since he first stepped foot in this great city, 50 years ago.
This one is for you, Franco…
Prediction: Steelers 24 Raiders 20
Game Day Information
TV: NFL Network (Local: KDKA-TV)
- Announcers: Rich Eisen (play-by-play) Kurt Warner (analyst) | Allison Williams and Steve Wyche (sideline)
Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 102.5 WDVE-FM & 970 WBGG-AM
- Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Craig Wolfley (analyst) | Max Starks (sideline) Missi Matthews (sideline)
National Radio: Westwood One
- Announcers: Mike Watts (play-by-play) Ross Tucker (analyst)
Internet broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com
Weather at kickoff: 13 and Cloudy. Winds out of the West at 15 mph.
NFL Links
Scouting the Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall record: 6-8 (4th in AFC North)
Last game: Steelers 24 Panthers 16
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
- 15th Season with Steelers
- Overall regular-season record: 160-93-2
- Playoff record: 8-9 (Qualified for playoffs 10 times)
Team Links
- Pittsburgh Steelers Team Roster
- Steelers Team/Individual Statistics
- Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 Schedule
Steelers Offense
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 17.9
- Total yards per game: 334.2
- Passing yards per game: 218.1
- Rushing yards per game: 116.1
Quarterback
Kenny Pickett* | #8
The first round pick from Pitt is getting better each week, but it’s time for the young quarterback to start putting the ball into the endzone via the pass more often than not. Returns after missing last week with a concussion.
- Passing Yards: 1,797 | TD Passes: 4 | INT’s: 8 | Sacked: 24
- Rushing Yards: 225 | Rushing TD’s: 3
Back-up: Mitch Trubisky | #10
- Passing Yards: 1,252 | TD Passes: 4 | INT’s: 5 | Sacked: 11
- Rushing Yards: 38 | Rushing TD’s: 2
Running Backs
Najee Harris | #22
After a start slowed by a foot injury, Harris has upped his game and is playing like a man possessed now that he is healthy.
- Rushing Yards: 790 | Rushing TD’s: 6
- Receptions: 32 | Receiving Yards: 165 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Jaylon Warren | #30
Good change of pace back when he comes in for relief of Harris. Runs hard and hits the hole going downhill. If Harris is ever out, would get the majority of carries.
- Rushing Yards: 244 | Rushing TD’s: 1
- Receptions: 21 | Receiving Yards: 178 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Benny Snell | #44
Looked good in first action all year, Snell answered the door when opportunity knocked.
- Rushing Yards: 90 | Rushing TD’s: 1
- Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 17 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Derek Watt | #44
- Rushing Yards: 17 | Rushing TD’s: 0
- Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 11 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Wide Receivers
Diontae Johnson | #18
Isn’t having the type of production you’d expect from an 18 million dollar a year receiver, but Matt Canada’s offense fails to put him in position to succeed. Has yet to find the endzone in 2022. Leads the team with 77 catches.
- Receptions: 77 | Receiving Yards: 745 | Receiving TD’s: 0
George Pickens | #14
Has all the talent you could ask for… now the Steelers have to find a way to get him the ball more consistently, especially downfield.
- Receptions: 42 | Receiving Yards: 643 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Myles Boykin | #82
- Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 11 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Steven Sims | #13
- Receptions: 10 | Receiving Yards: 63 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Gunner Olszewski | #89
- Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 53 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Tight Ends
Pat Friermuth | #88
Emerging as one of the better tight ends in the game. 2nd on the team with 50 receptions and leads the team in receiving.
- Receptions: 53 | Receiving Yards: 630 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Zach Gentry | #81
- Receptions: 17 | Receiving Yards: 108 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Conner Heyward | #83
- Receptions: 9 | Receiving Yards: 106 | Receiving TD’s: 1
*Injured/Out
Steelers Defense (Base 3-4)
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 22.1
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 347.8
- Passing yards allowed: 238.8
- Rushing yards allowed: 109
- Sacks: 29
- Interceptions: 14
Defensive Starters
DE: Cam Heyward #97 | DT: Montravius Adams #57 | DE: Larry Ogunjobi #99
- Heyward has 55 tackles and 6.5 sacks.
OLB: T.J. Watt #90 | ILB: Devin Bush #55 | ILB: Myles Jack #51| OLB: Alex Highsmith #56
- Highsmith leads the team with 10 sacks. Jack leads the team with 100 tackles. Bush is 2nd on team with 76 tackles. 2021 Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt has 29 tackles, four sacks and two INT’s.
CB: Levi Wallace #29 | SS: Terrell Edmunds #34 | FS: Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 | CB: Cameron Sutton #20
- Fitzpatrick is 3rd on the team with 75 tackles, and a team leading four interceptions. Sutton has two INT’s, while Wallace has three. Damontae Kazee will see plenty of snaps and has 11 tackles and one interception. Edmunds is 4th on the team with 59 tackles and one INT.
Steelers Special Teams
Placekicker
Chris Boswell | #9
One of the best clutch kickers in the game.
- Extra Points: 14-14
- Field Goals: 13-18
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 3-3
- 30-39 yards: 2-3
- 40-49 yards: 2-5
- 50+ yards: 6-7
Matthew Wright | #4
- Extra Points: 7-7
- Field Goals: 12-14
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 1-1
- 30-39 yards: 5-6
- 40-49 yards: 5-6
- 50+ yards: 1-1
Kickoff Returner
Steven Sims | #13
- Average: 25.3 | TD Returns: 0
Punt Returner
Steven Sims | #13
- Average: 5.1 | TD Returns: 0
Scouting the Las Vegas Raiders
Overall record: 6-8 (3rd in AFC West)
Last game: Raiders 30 Patriots 24
Head Coach: Josh McDaniels
- 1st Season with Las Vegas
- Overall regular-season record: 17-25 | 6-8 with Las Vegas
- Playoff record: 0-0
Team Links
Raiders Offense
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 24.1
- Total Offense per game: 370.8
- Passing yards per game: 244.6
- Rushing yards per game: 126.2
Quarterback
Derek Carr | #4
Having a pretty good year, tossing 23 TD’s and 11 INT’s.
- Passing Yards: 3,348 | TD Passes: 23 | INT’s: 11 | Sacked: 24
- Rushing Yards: 88 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-up: Jarrett Stidham | #3
- Passing Yards: 72 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 1
- Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Running Backs
Josh Jacobs | #45
One of the best backs in 2022, powering his way being the top rusher in the NFL.
- Rushing Yards: 1,495 | Rushing TD’s: 11
- Receptions: 46 | Receiving Yards: 363 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Zamir White | #35
- Rushing Yards: 66 | Rushing TD’s: 0
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Ameer Abdullah | #22
Dangerous out of the backfield, nabbing 22 catches in 2022.
- Rushing Yards: 20 | Rushing TD’s: 0
- Receptions: 22 | Receiving Yards: 174 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Brandon Bolden | #34
- Rushing Yards: 34 | Rushing TD’s: 0
- Receptions: 9 | Receiving Yards: 57 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Receivers
Davante Adams | #17
One of the elite receivers in the game and Carr’s favorite target.
- Receptions: 86 | Receiving Yards: 1,275 | Receiving TD’s: 12
Mack Hollins | #10
2nd on the team with 61 catches.
- Receptions: 61 | Receiving Yards: 628 | Receiving TD’s: 4
Hunter Renfrow | #13
- Receptions: 22 | Receiving Yards: 206 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Keelan Cole | #84
- Receptions: 9 | Receiving Yards: 136 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Tight Ends
Darren Waller | #83
Has battled injuries all season, but is back at full health.
- Receptions: 19 | Receiving Yards: 223 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Foster Moreau | #87
- Receptions: 27 | Receiving Yards: 336 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Jesper Horsted | #80
- Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 19 | Receiving TD’s: 0
*Injured/out
Raiders Defense (Base 3-4)
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 24.1
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 361.6
- Passing yards allowed: 244.3
- Rushing yards allowed: 117.4
- Sacks: 25
- Interceptions: 4
Defensive Starters
DE: Maxx Crosby #98 | DT: Andrew Billings #97 | DT: Bilal Nichols #91 | DE: Chandler Jones #55
- Crosby has 77 tackles and 11.5 sacks. Jones has 4.5 sacks.
OLB: Luke Masterson #59 | MLB: Denzel Perryman #52 | OLB: Darien Butler #58
- Perryman leads the team with 79 tackles, has one sack and one INT.
CB: Rock Ya-Sin* #26 | SS: Roderic Teamer #33 | FS: Tre’Von Moehrig #25 | CB: Nate Hobbs #39
- Moehrig has 41 tackles. Horn has three interceptions. Duron Harmon has 64 tackles and two INT’s.
Raiders Special Teams
Placekicker
Daniel Carlson | #2
- Extra Points: 29-30
- Field Goals: 29-32
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 8-8
- 30-39 yards: 10-10
- 40-49 yards: 2-3
- 50+ yards: 9-11
Kickoff Returner
Ameer Abdullah | #22
- Average: 21.3 | TD Returns: 0
Punt Returner
Hunter Renfrow | #13
- Average: 6.6 | TD Returns: 0
Steelers vs Raiders History
Series History: Began in 1970
Overall Record: 13-17
- Home: 8-6
- Away: 5-11
- Postseason: 3-3
Streak: Raiders have won the last two games.
Last regular-season meeting: Raiders Win, 26-17 (Sept. 19, 2021)
Last postseason meeting: Raiders win, 38-10 (Jan. 1, 1984)
Injury Report (12/22/22)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Out: None
- Doubtful: None
- Questionable: LB Myles Jack (Groin), WR Diontae Johnson (Toe), S Terrell Edmunds (Hamstring)
Las Vegas Raiders
- Out: CB Rock Ya-Sin (Knee)
- Doubtful: None
- Questionable: G Alex Bars (Knee), T Jackson Barton (Back), DT Andrew Billings (Fibula), LB Darien Butler (Quadricep), G/T Jermaine Eluemunor (Wrist), G Dylan Parham (Knee), RB Zamir White (Ankle)
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From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team.
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