Las Vegas Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 Surprises from Week 2

Sep 19, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) catches a touchdown pass behind Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Las Vegas won 26-17. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) catches a touchdown pass behind Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Las Vegas won 26-17. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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Sep 19, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr gives a thumbs up after his team defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 26-17 at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

The Las Vegas Raiders got a shocking win against Pittsburgh in Week 2, and we look at three surprises from the 26-17 victory inside Heinz Field.

According to the betting odds, there were more than a few surprises in this game, especially considering the Pittsburgh Steelers were heavily favored to overcome the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2. Coming off a strong victory against Buffalo in Week 1, the Steelers looked like a team to beat in the AFC, but the Raiders proved to be too much for them on the road.

For the majority of the contest, the Raiders (2-0) were in a tense battle with the stout defense of the Steelers (1-1). A lot can be said for the Steelers losing star linebacker T.J. Watt early in the contest, but nevertheless, it was a game with plenty of injuries all-around, as it is not like the Raiders were healthy at all.

In the end, the Raiders overcame the Steelers 26-17, and several factors were key to victory in this one, as some were expected, but others were a big surprise. It seems like the Raiders are a much better team on both sides of the ball in 2021, but they surprised teams early on in 2020, so there is a lot of work left to do.

Here, we look at three big surprises from the victory on Sunday.

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