Oakland Raiders: 2018 Week 14 AFC West Predictions
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders have a chance at playing spoilers in the AFC. The Pittsburgh Steelers have lost two crucial games in consecutive fashion. Coincidentally they were against AFC West opponents, so the teams in this division may be the Steelers kryptonite. The Raiders definitely can defeat the Steelers, especially after the strong performance they put on display last week against the Chiefs.
The Steelers backs are against the wall here. They are surely going to feel desperate for a win considering the disparage in talent between the two teams. It’ll be a bit difficult for the Steelers to manage a win in Oakland.
They’re going across the country to play in a stadium that Ben Roethlisberger has never won in. On top of that, the Steelers are going to be without breakout running back James Conner. Pittsburgh isn’t going to pull any punches in this game. They need a win with the Baltimore Ravens right on their tail for the division. The only question for the Steelers is can they manage to keep their focus on the road after two close losses?
Head coach Mike Tomlin is capable of doing so, but it will be tough for the players. At this point, it’s almost all on what Raiders team will show up. Will it be the motivated team we saw last week? Or will it be a lackluster performance?
It’s tough to say since this team has been so inconsistent. However, even with all of these factors that will derail the Steelers somewhat I just can’t see the Raiders winning this game. There’s definitely a chance, which is something I wouldn’t have said a month ago. But the disparage in talent is too great. Gareon Conley is going to have his hands full with both JuJu Smith-Schuster and Antonio Brown.
Next. Chiefs at Raiders: 5 takeaways from Week 13. dark
That’s if they even target his side because aside from Conley, this secondary is weak. The Raiders offense can do damage to the Steelers defense, but they’re not built to match the Steelers offense blow for blow regardless of how well Derek Carr plays.
Steelers 38 Raiders 28