Las Vegas Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 Surprises from Week 2
By Alex Perl
Las Vegas Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 Surprises from Week 2
Wide Receivers excel against Pittsburgh
Not only did the Steelers know the game-plan for the Silver and Black on the offensive side of the ball, but the world knew after seeing it in full display in Week 1. After watching quarterback Derek Carr target tight end Darren Waller 19 times in the Week 1 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, the Steelers constantly double-teamed the Pro Bowl tight end.
This led to Waller only making five receptions in the game, mostly coming in the second half, but also showed that just maybe the Raiders have more than just Waller. With star running back Josh Jacobs sidelined with injuries, it was known that the Raiders would surely go to the air in this one and that they did.
The biggest surprise here was how Carr spread the ball out to a myriad of receivers. Eight receivers had receptions in the early morning collision with the Steel Curtain on Sunday. The leader in yards was last year’s first-round pick Henry Ruggs III, who had arguably his best game in his young career, as he capped the game with a 61-yard touchdown score which cemented the win for the Raiders.
With dependable slot receiver Hunter Renfrow once again showing up when needed, and Carr throwing a touchdown pass to backup tight end Foster Moreau, the Raiders showed they are no one-trick pony at receiver. With Carr looking to trust in his young core of receivers, even more, it seems that the Raiders offense is really clicking early on, and it should continue into Week 3.