Las Vegas Raiders 2021 Opponent Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 03: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers lines up against the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 03: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers lines up against the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /
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Raiders will have to handle Najee Harris in Week 2.  Mandatory Credit: Kyle Robertson-USA TODAY Sports
Raiders will have to handle Najee Harris in Week 2.  Mandatory Credit: Kyle Robertson-USA TODAY Sports /

The Las Vegas Raiders hit the road for the first time in 2021 to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers, who may be an AFC playoff team before all is said and done.

The 2021 Las Vegas Raiders will take on the AFC North in both Week 1 and 2, as they come off a Monday Night Football matchup with Baltimore to head to Pittsburgh to play the Steelers on a short week. For the Raiders, this is a crucial start to the season, as an 0-2 start would be tough to overcome based on the rest of the early-season schedule.

With that said, here is a preview of the 2021 Pittsburgh Steelers:

Las Vegas Raiders 2021 Opponent Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers Additions

The Pittsburgh Steelers did not add much in terms of free agency, as B.J. Finney from Cincinnati was the biggest addition. However, they did hit a home run with their 2021 NFL Draft, getting Ben Roethlisberger not only some protection but some excellent weapons as well.

In fact, Pittsburgh used their first four selections on the offensive side of the ball, starting with Alabama running back Najee Harris in the first round. Harris is a dynamic player, who is elite in the run, and passing game, and gives Big Ben his most versatile back since Le’Veon Bell.

Tight end Pat Freiermuth also comes into the fold, and he is a pass-catcher who can be explosive in the red zone, which the team also added two offensive linemen. On defense, there was enough talent already there to wait, but in sixth-round pick Quincy Roche, they could get another dominant edge rusher to team with T.J. Watt.