Raiders-Steelers Game Highlights Week 9 NFL Schedule
By Abraham Gutierrez
After failing to capitalize on a golden opportunity to hand the Cincinnati Bengals their first loss of the 2015 NFL season, the Pittsburgh Steelers will try and put an end to the Oakland Raiders' two-game win streak in Week 9. These AFC rivals are scheduled to tangle at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. ET on CBS Sports.
This week's game marks the 28th time the Raiders and Steelers have met on the gridiron, as Oakland comes in leading the head-to-head series 15-12-0. Jack Del Rio & Co. come into this game feeling confident about their chances, as the Silver and Black are riding a two-game win streak versus Mike Tomlin's bunch.
However, Ben Roethlisberger and the Steel Curtain will hang their hats on the fact that they defeated Oaktown the last time they visited Heinz Field. In front of a sold-out crowd, the Steelers crushed the visiting Raiders by a final score of 35-3 during the 2010 NFL campaign.
Steelers 2015 NFL Season Record
Pittsburgh comes into this game with a 4-4 record on the year, which is good enough for second place in the AFC North. This is particularly good news considering Big Ben missed four games due to a knee injury. During that span, the Steelers did a decent job of holding down the fort, going 2-2 versus the Ravens, Chargers, Cardinals and Chiefs.
In Roethlisberger's return last Sunday, Pittsburgh held a 10-6 lead heading into the fourth quarter. However, the felines kicked it into high gear in the final stanza, scoring 10 unanswered points, while the defense pitched a shutout on their way to a 16-10 victory.
Steelers On Offense
Under the tutelage of offensive coordinator Todd Haley, the Steelers come into Week 9 struggling in every facet of the game except rushing. Prior to their showdown with Oakland, Pittsburgh's offense ranks ninth in rushing (125.8), 19th in total yards (349.1) and 21st in both, points scored (21.0) and passing yards per game (223.4).
In his first game back from knee injury, Roethlisberger struggled against a sturdy Bengals defense. Big Ben connected on 62 percent of his passes (28-for-45) for 262 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions, and was sacked three times to earn a quarterback rating of 57.8.
Making matters worse was the fact that Tomlin will have to find a way to make up for the loss of running back Le'Veon Bell. The NFL's seventh-leading rusher was placed on season-ending IR after tearing his MCL in the second quarter of last week's loss against Cincinnati.
Steelers On Defense
Following the departure of the legendary Dick LeBeau, the Steelers have been under the watchful eye of first-year defensive coordinator Keith Butler. In his first year trying to fill LeBeau's shoes, Butler's defense has struggled in two of the four major statistical categories.
Heading into Week 9, the Steel Curtain ranks sixth in points allowed (18.4) and eighth against the rush (97.0). Unfortunately, there where the good news end, as this team has struggled significantly against the pass and, coincidentally, in total yards allowed. The Raiders will face defense that ranks 20th in total yards allowed per game (366.5) and 26th against the pass (269.5).
Steelers Player To Watch
With Bell out for the remainder of the season, Big Ben will have to carry the heavy water offensively for this ball club. Luckily, at 6-foot-5, 240 pounds, the two-time Super Bowl champion has broad shoulders to carry the load. On the year, he's completed 71 percent of his passes, going 95-for-134 for 1174 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions for a quarterback rating of 94.6.
Defensively, there are quite a few players Derek Carr and the Oakland offense will have to gameplan for. In particular, the Raiders biggest challenge will be keeping Carr upright and his uniform clean. That's why the following four players will have to be accounted for at all times due to their sack production this season: linebacker Bud Dupree (4 sacks), defensive end Stephon Tuitt (3.5 sacks), inside linebacker Ryan Shazier (2 sacks) and, of course, outside linebacker James Harrison (2 sacks).
Raiders vs. Steelers 2015 NFL Betting Lines (Week 9)
It appears that the Raiders' accomplishments this season haven't been enough for NFL oddsmakers to give them a real chance to go into enemy territory and come away victorious. The latest NFL betting lines have the Raiders [+5] as five-point underdogs, the Steelers [-5] as favorites by the same margin, and the OVER/UNDER is set at a combined total of 48 points.
Abe Gutierrez's (Twitter: @GutierrezAbe) passion led him to ditch law school journey in order to launch his own publishing company. His expertise make him a valued addition to Examiner.com, AXS.com and the CBS-Sports family. Some of his work can be found on CBS-Miami (Dolphins), CBS-LosAngeles (Chargers), CBS-BayArea (Raiders), CBS-NewYork (NY Jets), CBS-TampaBay (Buccaneers), AXS.com, Examiner.com and other online publications.