Raiders at Steelers 2022 Week 16: Game preview and prediction
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders take on the Steelers in Week 16, and here, we take a look at our final game preview and prediction for the matchup.
Two 6-8 teams get together for a Christmas Eve matchup in Week 16, as the Las Vegas Raiders head east to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. In a rematch of the Immaculate Reception Game, a game that was played 50 years ago, both franchises are still alive, but with slim playoff hopes going into Week 16.
With that said, here is our final preview and prediction for the Week 16 matchup.
Raiders vs Steelers Preview
This battle will take place inside a freezy Acrisure Stadium, something that should play in the Steelers favor. Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has long struggled in cold weather, and on Saturday night, the temperatures will have a real feel of negative degrees.
Still, Las Vegas comes into this game with more talent than the Steelers, and the defense has been much better over the past few weeks. Maxx Crosby has established himself as one of the premier defensive players in the NFL, and Las Vegas is finally getting strong play on the other side out of Chandler Jones.
Birthday boy Davante Adams should find some easy sledding in the Steeles secondary, but it will be interesting to see if Carr can actually get him the ball in bad weather. If he can, and Josh Jacobs continues to run the way he has all season long, the Raiders’ offense should be in good shape.
Raiders vs Steelers Prediction
Pittsburgh got good news this past week when rookie Kenny Pickett cleared the concussion protocol, and he will start in place of Mitchell Trubisky, who led the team to a victory over Carolina last weekend. Pickett has had an up-and-down rookie season and will face a Raiders defense that has the ability to get after the quarterback on any play.
The weather is playing against the Raiders, as is heading east on a short week, but I still like them to get the job done on Saturday night. Carr is playing for his career in Las Vegas, and with three games remaining in 2022, maybe he can steer the team to their second playoff berth in a row.
Final Score: Raiders 24, Steelers 21