Game Scout: Steelers-Raiders
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-4) at Oakland Raiders (2-4)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, at o.Co Coliseum, Oakland - TV: CBS
*TV announcers: Spero Dedes, Rich Gannon
*Keys to the game: Le'Veon Bell rushed for a career-high 93 yards last week, and the Steelers want to continue right where he left off. The Raiders are yielding just 99 rushing yards per game but are susceptible to QB Ben Roethlisberger making plays outside the pocket. Pittsburgh has just nine total touchdowns this season, and prolonged drives are few and far between. Roethlisberger is adjusting to his offensive line by getting rid of the ball quickly. When he waits for plays to develop, Roethlisberger must identify S Charles Woodson, who has license to roam in the Raiders' scheme. OLB LaMarr Woodley rushes from QB Terrelle Pryor's right, a matchup the Steelers like with RT Tony Pashos banged up. Pryor leads all quarterbacks and the Raiders with 285 yards rushing and has a 6.5-yard average per carry. The Steelers' bevy of linebacker blitzes serves them well against mobile quarterbacks -- including last season when they corralled Washington's Robert Griffin III (8 yards rushing, 177 passing) and Michael Vick (16 rushing, 175 passing) in two victories -- though Pryor is showing polish as a downfield passer.
*Matchup to watch - Steelers WR Antonio Brown vs. Raiders CB Mike Jenkins -- Brown has 47 receptions, most by a Steelers receiver through six games since 1960. Roethlisberger's most trusted target draws Jenkins, who is best at playing bump coverage and re-routing receivers.
*Player spotlight - Raiders LB Sio Moore: He had been pulled when the Raiders went to the nickel defense, but Oakland wants him on the field on passing downs because of his burst to help corral Roethlisberger.
*Fast facts: Roethlisberger is two TD passes shy of 200 for his career. He will join Terry Bradshaw as the only Steelers quarterbacks to hit that mark. ... The Raiders have lost 10 consecutive games coming out of their bye week.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Neither team will wring 30 points out of their offense, leaving each defense to come up with momentum-flipping plays. The veteran Steelers should gain the upper hand against Terrelle Pryor.
*Our pick: Steelers 24-18