Steelers vs. Raiders Prediction – Steelers Depot

As in the past, below are the keys and my prediction for the Pittsburgh Steelers to win (or lose) today's game. Three things that need to happen for them to end up on the right side of the score in their Week 6 game against the Las Vegas Raiders and vice versa.

My Steelers prediction is below.

The Steelers will win if…

1. Aidan O'Connell is under pressure, especially from the D-line

Figuratively and literally. Without Nick Herbig and Alex Highsmith, Pittsburgh's pass rush is hurting and the Raiders will focus all their energy on TJ Watt. Still, the Steelers need to come home and put pressure on O'Connell, who is a second-year player making his first start in 2024. In our pre-draft scouting report, we noted that he struggles when pressured and that the Steelers can get a young O-line player against him. That's a bit of an injury.

But the Steelers also have to move forward and stop the Raiders' running game. Force O'Connell to win this game without staying on schedule. That would take a lot out of him and put Pittsburgh in a position to pull off a convincing win.

2. George Pickens recovers

It's been a loud week for Pickens and for all the wrong reasons. No matter where you stand on the concern meter, he needs a good performance to silence the critics, just like he did against the Cincinnati Bengals last year. This is a secondary the Steelers can rely on, and Pickens should get the ball early, something the team did poorly in last week's loss. This time I would expect a different looking schedule and box score.

3. Brock Bowers is held

With Davante Adams out and Jakobi Meyers likely to follow suit, the Raiders don't have much at receiver. This makes them even more reliant on rookie TE Brock Bowers, even though he leads the team in scoring, receptions, yards and big plays in this game.

Pittsburgh should treat him like a receiver and exclude him from turnovers, which they have lost far too often in the last two games. It wouldn't be unreasonable to put CB Joey Porter Jr. or FS Minkah Fitzpatrick on him if the situation calls for it. Bowers can't walk around freely.

The Steelers will lose if…

1. Pittsburgh can't beat the 5-2 Raiders

Statistically, the Raiders have not had a good run defense this season and losing star DT Christian Wilkins to a foot injury is a huge blow. Still, they present some schematic challenges. Their 5-2 front, which they utilize on early downs, even against 11 players, is something the Steelers have found other teams difficult to find success against in recent years. It's difficult for someone like RB Najee Harris to get a run going.

After two disappointing/disappointing performances against the Colts and Cowboys, there is no guarantee the Steelers will find their rhythm on the floor today. However, it helps that Jaylen Warren has the same starting lineup in back-to-back games for the first time this year.

2. Raiders' attack speed wins

The Raiders don't have the firepower to pull off 15 consecutive plays against the Steelers. They are missing too much offensively. But one big play can negate that need. There is some speed here with WR Tre Tucker and Bowers has been a YAC monster this season. Pittsburgh has allowed big plays too often in the last two games. Only the Jacksonville Jaguars have allowed more in the last two weeks than the Steelers in nine. Las Vegas will be looking for the big game against Pittsburgh's defense.

3. Steelers are getting sloppy

Concern that the Steelers could beat the Steelers. Losses of the ball, penalties and defensive communication continue to have problems. It would be a Steelers-like thing that would happen and be a cause of the team's losing streak. Pittsburgh is the better team. But that doesn't always mean they win. Allowing the Raiders to hang around is a recipe for disaster.

forecast

Steelers: 20
Raiders: 16

Seasonal forecast record

(2-3, a three-game loss)