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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 Game Day Preview, a guide that all Pittsburgh fans read weekly to learn everything they need to know about the Steelers and their upcoming opponent!
Mike Drakulich, the man behind Pittsburgh SportsNation (@PghSportsNation), who covers both Pitt football and the Steelers for NGSC Sports, brings you inside the huddle for both teams providing all fans with The Game Scoop, Score Prediction, Broadcast and Game Day Weather Report, and a complete breakdown of each team.
Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) at Las Vegas Raiders (1-1)
NFL Week 3
Game-time: Sunday, September 26th, 8:20 PM
- Vegas line: Las Vegas -2.5
Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV.
- Field: Bermuda Grass
The Game Scoop
When it comes to offense during the Matt Canada regime, the Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) are truly offensive to watch.
It was Ben Roethlisberger who had to suffer through it in his final season. Last year brought Mitch Trubisky before he was replaced by first round selection Kenny Pickett, who is two games into this campaign.
No matter who has been at quarterback, it has been an abject disaster.
38 games of painful to watch football.
Yet Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin continues to employ Canada as his “offensive” coordinator.
Former Bills GM and Steelers exec Doug Whaley had this to say about Canada during his weekly appearance on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh.
“The biggest problem for the offense is, in my opinion, the coordinator,” said Whaley. “I’ve been on record since he got hired with that one. He’s not qualified.”
No one will argue that in the first game that the 49ers have arguably the best defense in the NFL. Last week, Pittsburgh faced the Browns, a defensive unit that is also above the line, as evidenced by their domination of Cincinnati and Joe Burrow in the opener.
However, reports still indicate that Pickett still hasn’t been given the ability to audible out of a call. There is very little pre snap motion used. Play action is nonexistent. Throws to the tight ends have disappeared. Any other team would kill to have George Pickens highlighted as their main receiver and find creative ways to get him the ball in open space. When running the ball, when is the last time you watched a counter utilized?
It’s pathetic, but Canada insists all will work itself out.
There are zero excuses this week for the offense as they travel west to face the Las Vegas Raiders (1-1), whose defense is giving up 27 points a game.
Pickett—Canada aside, has to elevate his game this week. When he has had time to throw, he’s still been missing easy throws. That has to stop.
Opposing QB’s have completed 58 of 71 passes thrown against Vegas– which calculates to an astonishing 81% completion rate.
It would behoove Najee Harris and the running game to get rolling this week as well. As bad as the Raiders are defending the pass, they are just as inept stopping the run, allowing 138.5 yards per game.
It would help tremendously if the offensive line opened some holes and gave Pickett time to throw. That unit is just as much to blame as everyone else is on offense.
“We’ve shown at certain times in training camp and the preseason. We had a really good summer,” Steelers center Mason Cole said. “We know we’re a damn good offense. We’re not executing right now. Last year, it seemed like we were searching for answers more. This year, it seems like there are no excuses, and it comes down to execution.”
The Steelers, once the staple of running the ball, are averaging a laughable 48 yards per game.
“We have great concepts, and guys are more than willing and capable of doing it,” tight end Pat Freiermuth said. “It’s little details and things we have to figure out. We’ll get there. It’s a work in progress. We’ve got a couple new guys, so we’ll figure it out soon, and we’re going to see the run game explode.”
Besides execution, one of the biggest issues killing the run game is with opposing defenses stacking the box, basically daring Pickett and the offense to throw the ball, which of course, they have failed miserably at.
“When it’s an obvious run down, they are playing Bear defense. They are stacking the box for the most part,” Harris said. “The Browns played one high (safety) almost all game. We knew that. When defenses try to stop the run, it makes it harder. We knew that coming in. It’s something we have to deal with.”
History does not favor the Steelers in this game, as they have failed to beat the Raiders on the road since 1995. That’s 28 years ago. Yours truly was just 19 years old then and not allowed to drink (legally) yet.
But, as my dad says, “The sun don’t shine on the same dog’s ass everyday.”
The Steelers are due to take down the Raiders in the confines of their own home, albeit in Las Vegas sadly, and not on Oakland, where the two teams shared a brutal rivalry in the 70’s.
The Raiders offense is lead by QB Jimmy Garoppolo who has three touchdowns and three interceptions in two games. He has yet to be sacked, which his luck will surely change for the worse when T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith line up across from him.
“Watt and Highsmith, those are two fitting guys because they’re great players,” said Raider head coach Josh McDaniels. “There’s a challenge on every play, and you can’t let your guard down, you can’t stop competing and playing with great effort because you know that that’s what they’re going to do every single play that they’re out there, and that’s the challenge for us on Sunday night and we’re going to be ready to go.”
Garoppolo’s main weapons are wide receivers Davante Adams and Jacobi Myers, who have combined to catch 21 passes, even though Myers missed last week with a concussion.
Josh Jacobs, the NFL’s leading rusher last year, has yet to get his game going, as he was held to -2 yards last week vs the Bills, and 46 yards overall. Zamir White will see time if Jacobs continues to struggle.
The one thing going for Las Vegas is how deplorable the Pittsburgh run defense has been, allowing 193 yards per game. For the Steelers to win, especially against a team struggling to run, that trend has to end Sunday night.
The Raiders defense features one of the best pass rushers in Maxx Crosby, but Vegas has just four sacks so far.
This is a game where the Steelers can cure most of their ills.
It may only be the third game of the year, but if the Steelers offense can’t move the ball against this team, or find a way to contain the run from the Raiders, only God knows when it will happen, if ever. The team and it’s players insist the problems plaguing this team are fixable and just a matter of execution.
Well, it’s time to put up or shut up,
It will probably be ugly again, but this beleaguered offense should be better this week.
Allegiant Stadium will likely look like a Steelers home game, and those fans will be rewarded with a win when this game ends.
Pickett and the offense finally show some life both passing and running the ball, and the defense will make life miserable for Garoppolo and Jacobs.
Prediction: Steelers 24 Raiders 16
Broadcast and Game Day Weather Report
TV: NBC (Local: WPXI-TV channel 811 on Xfinity)
- Announcers: Mike Tirico (play-by-play) Cris Collinsworth (analyst) | Melissa Stark (field reporter)
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 Radio
- Announcers: Ryan Radtke (play-by-play) Mike Golic (analyst)
Internet broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com
Weather at kickoff: Indoor facility
NFL Links
Scouting the Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall record: 1-1 (2nd in AFC North)
Last Game: Steelers 26 Browns 22
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
- 17th Season with Steelers
- Overall regular-season record: 164-94-2
- Playoff record: 8-9 (Qualified for playoffs 10 times)
Team Links
- Pittsburgh Steelers Team Roster
- Steelers Team/Individual Statistics
- Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 Schedule
Steelers Offense
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 16.5
- Total yards per game: 247
- Passing yards per game: 199
- Rushing yards per game: 48
Quarterback
Kenny Pickett | #8
- Passing Yards: 454 | TD Passes: 2 | INT’s: 3 | Sacked: 7
- Rushing Yards: -2 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Pickett looked nothing like the quarterback we watched in the preseason. Granted, this is still a Matt Canada designed offense, and Pickett has had little time to stay in the pocket at all, but when he has had time, he’s missed very easy throws expected out of a first round selection. Despite Canada’s ineptitude, Pickett has to get his confidence back before all is lost, difficult as that may seem.
Back-up: Mitch Trubisky | #10
- Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0| INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
- Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Running Backs
Najee Harris | #22
- Rushing Yards: 74 | Rushing TD’s: 0
- Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 2 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Harris had some good runs vs the Browns, so hopefully this is a trend that will continue to build vs the Raiders. That being said, the Steelers need more consistency out of Harris or he may find himself behind Warren on the depth chart.
Jaylon Warren | #30
- Rushing Yards: 26 | Rushing TD’s: 0
- Receptions: 9 | Receiving Yards: 78 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Warren has been getting more carries, and with good cause, as he always finds a way to get positive yardage.
Anthony McFarland* | #26
- Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
- Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 11 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Wide Receivers
Diontae Johnson* | #18
- Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 48 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Johnson is out with a groin injury.
George Pickens | #14
- Receptions: 9 | Receiving Yards: 163 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Pickens needs to be featured in this offense, especially with Johnson out. Pickens was able to take a slant from Pickett last week and take it to the house. If the Steelers had a competent offensive coordinator, this guy would be an unstoppable force.
Allen Robinson II | #11
- Receptions: 7 | Receiving Yards: 76 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Vet presence stepped up his game when Johnson was injured. Will be called upon to make some plays as the #2 receiver behind Pickens.
Calvin Austin III | #19
- Receptions: 7 | Receiving Yards: 47 | Receiving TD’s: 0
The shifty receiver had six receptions in the loss to the 49ers and will certainly add to that total while Johnson is out.
Gunner Olszewski* | #89
- Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Myles Boykin | #13
- Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 5 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Tight Ends
Pat Friermuth | #88
- Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 5 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Friermuth caught the Steelers lone touchdown vs the 49ers, but was barely looked at in week two vs the Browns. That has to change pronto if this offense is to be successful in any way, shape or form.
Conner Heyward | #83
- Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 19 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Heyward has become a jack of all trades, making plays when passed to as a tight end, and even utilized as a fullback.
Darnell Washington | #80
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
*Injured/Out
Steelers Defense (Base 3-4)
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 26
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 399.5
- Passing yards allowed: 206.5
- Rushing yards allowed: 193
- Sacks: 9
- Interceptions: 1
Defensive Starters
DT: Keeanu Benton #95 | NT: Montravius Adams #57 | DE: Larry Ogunjobi #99
- Benton has looked sharp in place of the injured Cam Heyward. So far he has five tackles. Ogunjobi has one sack.
OLB: T.J. Watt #90 | ILB: Cole Holcomb #41 or Kwon Alexander #54 | ILB: Elandon Roberts #50| OLB: Alex Highsmith #56
- Alexander is first on the team lead with 17 tackles. Watt has four sacks, nine tackles, and returned a fumble for a touchdown. Highsmith is 2nd on the team with 14 tackles, a sack, and returned an interception for a touchdown.
CB: Levi Wallace #29 | SS: Keanu Neal #31 | FS: Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 | CB: Patrick Peterson #20
- Neal has 11 tackles. Fitzpatrick has 10 tackles.
Steelers Special Teams
Placekicker
Chris Boswell | #9
Extra Points: 2-2
Field Goals: 2-2
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 0-0
- 30-39 yards: 0-0
- 40-49 yards: 0-0
- 50+ yards: 2-2
Kickoff Returners
Calvin Austin III | #19
- Average: 0.0 | TD Returns: 0
Punt Returner
Calvin Austin III | #19
- Average: 8.0 | TD Returns: 0
Scouting the Las Vegas Raiders
Overall record: 1-1 (1st in AFC West)
Last game: Bills 38 Raiders 10
Head Coach: Josh McDaniels
- 4th Season with Las Vegas
- Overall regular-season record: 18-29 | 7-12 with Raiders
- Playoff Record: 0-0
Team Links
Raiders Offense
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 13.5
- Total Offense per game: 250.5
- Passing yards per game: 192.5
- Rushing yards per game: 58
Quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo | #10
- Passing Yards: 385 | TD Passes: 3 | INT’s: 3 | Sacked: 0
- Rushing Yards: 12 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Garoppolo is never flashy, but always seems to find a way to get the job done in past years. He has yet to be sacked this year, but that will change Sunday night.
Back-up: Brian Hoyer | #7
- Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
- Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Running Backs
Josh Jacobs | #45
- Rushing Yards: 46 | Rushing TD’s: 0
- Receptions: 7 | Receiving Yards: 74 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jacobs was the NFL’s leading rusher last year, but has yet to find his game in 2023, behind an offensive line that has been below average. The Steelers run D has been terrible so far, so this is his opportunity to get back to form.
Zamir White | #35
- Rushing Yards: 24 | Rushing TD’s: 0
- Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 5 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Receivers
Davante Adams | #17
- Receptions: 12 | Receiving Yards: 150 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Adams is one of the top receivers in the game, and obviously the main weapon in the Raiders passing attack.
Jacobi Myers | #16
- Receptions: 9 | Receiving Yards: 81 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Myers was spectacular in week one, nabbing nine catches for 81 yards and two scores, before suffering a concussion. He returns this week after sitting out vs the Bills.
Hunter Renfrow | #13
- Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 23 | Receiving TD’s: 0
DeAndre Carter | #3
- Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 5 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Tight Ends
Austin Hooper | #81
- Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 40 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Michael Mayer | #87
- Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 2 | Receiving TD’s: 0
*Injured/out
Raiders Defense (Base 4-3)
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 27
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 355
- Passing yards allowed: 216.5
- Rushing yards allowed: 138.5
- Sacks: 4
- Interceptions: 0
Defensive Starters
DE: Maxx Crosby #98 | DT: Jerry Tillery #90 | DT: Bilal Nichols #91 | DE: Tyree Wilson #9
- Crosby has 12 tackles and a sack.
OLB: Robert Spillane #41 | MLB: Divine Deablo #5 | OLB: Luke Masterson #59
- Spillane leads the team with 21 tackles and has a sack. Deablo has 19 tackles and a sack.
CB: Nate Hobbs #39 | SS: Marcus Epps #1 | FS: Tre’Von Moehrig #25 | CB: Marcus Peters #24
- Hobbs is tied for 2nd on the team with 19 tackles.
Raiders Special Teams
Placekicker
Daniel Carlson | #2
Extra Points: 3-3
Field Goals: 2-2
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 1-1
- 30-39 yards: 0-0
- 40-49 yards: 1-1
- 50+ yards: 0-0
Kickoff Returner
DeAndre Carter | #3
- Average: 23.0 | TD Returns: 0
Punt Returner
DeAndre Carter | #3
- Average: 0.0 | TD Returns: 0
Steelers vs Raiders History
Series History: Began in 1970
Overall Record: 14-17
- Home: 9-6
- Away: 5-11
- Postseason: 3-3
Streak: Steelers won the last game.
Last regular-season meeting: Steelers Win, 14-10 (Dec. 24, 2022)
Last postseason meeting: Raiders Win, 38-10 (Jan. 1, 1984)
Injury Report (9/23/23)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- IR: DE Cam Heyward, WR Diontae Johnson (Hamstring), RB Anthony McFarland Jr. (Knee)
- Out: WR Gunner Olszewski (Concussion)
- Doubtful: None
- Questionable: None
Las Vegas Raiders
- Out: None
- Doubtful: None
- Questionable:
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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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As Editor of Pittsburgh SportsNation, Mike Drakulich provides top notch opinions and coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitt Panthers football & basketball, Robert Morris Colonials basketball, and Duquesne Dukes basketball, as well as all sports teams that represent Western Pennsylvania, including WPIAL High School Football.
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