3 reasons the Las Vegas Raiders will beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2

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Sep 13, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and defensive end Quinton Jefferson (77) celebrate a defensive play against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

3 reasons the Las Vegas Raiders will beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2

The Raiders Pass Rush

No, it is not 2016, but with new expectations for this defense, it seems the bar has been raised for what the boys in Vegas can accomplish now. The defense was very impressive in the Week 1 victory, but what was even more monumental was the pass rush.

The three total sacks were not telling of how dominant and effective this pass rush was on Monday. Defensive End Maxx Crosby led the party as his two sacks, and ten pressures set the standard, earning him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. With help from defensive ends Yannick Ngakoue and Carl Nassib, the Raiders were finally able to get a pass rush.

The running ability of Jackson is hard to combat, but the defensive ends were more than up to the task. This will surely carry over to Week 2, and the hope is that Ngakoue will be available as he is dealing with a hamstring injury.

Either way, with Clelin Ferrell available to join now as he is healthy, and the explosiveness of Crosby, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger could be forced into making some bad throws. The pass rush will be one of the main keys to a Raiders victory Sunday.

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