GDT Week 11 - OAK @ PIT

[SteelTom]

WEEK 11



AT



Oakland: 5-4 (1st in AFC West)
Pittsburgh: 6-3 (2nd in AFC North)

LAST MEETING: Week 13 2009 @ Heinz Field - Raiders 27- Steelers 24 (that one HURT)

My Thoughts

This game could define our season in my opinion. The raiders are sitting pretty in first in the AFC West, and have suprised the majority of the NFL with their reasonably high quality standard of football. The Steelers are coming off a weak performance against the Patriots and should be fired up for this one, but it seems that the last few seasons we have thrown away games against teams we should have beaten, I am hoping that is not the case this week.

The next two weeks are crucial for the remainder of this season for the Steelers, with two divisional games week 13 and 14, and the Jets in week 15 two wins are definitely needed. However, what most fans would have marked down as a "gimme" win, might be a harder game than expected. Don't under-estimate this Raiders team.

Players to Watch

Raiders:
Darren Mcfadden

After his first two seasons many fans thought this guy was a bust, but he has truly broken out this year and is playing at a pro bowl level. He is 7th in the league in rushing and has shown great burst, but is also a threat catching the ball out of the backfield, with almost 250 yards receiving this year, meaning he already has 1000 yards total offense. The Steelers are notoriously good against the run but we will have to account for this guy, which could open up lanes downfield for the Raiders speedy recievers, against our poor secondary (please god bench William Gay!)

Nnamdi Asomugha

We all know that Mike Wallace has been a matchup nightmare this year but if he lines up on Nnamdi he could have a quiet afternoon. I think its possible that Asomugha could follow him around the park.

Also: Richard Seymour - This guy is playing out of his skin this year for that last big contract, he could tear up our offensive line.

Steelers:

Rashard Mendenhall
The Raiders are pretty poor against the run, allowing nearly 130 yards rushing per game, good for 24th best in the league. If Mendy can get going this could be a good game for him and the play action, but who knows behind our line...

Ben Roethlisberger

Ben is always important when it comes to the success of the Steelers and this game is no different. The raiders are 2nd in the league against the pass, but if the running game gets going it could open up some good lanes across the middle for Ben. (Hopefully not to Randel El....)

Prediction: Oakland 20 - Steelers 27

[AlanFanecaFan]

Im going to this game....cant wait!!!
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[greene91fan]

At this point in the season we have looked like an average football team albeit against two very good teams and an AFCN rival...all either good, experienced against our defense, or both.

This is the first game that doesn't scare me, even though my chicken little complex says it should. If Campbell is starting for the Silver and Black I really really like our chances.
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Thanks Lysar529 for the sig!

"Arguing with some people is like wrestling with a pig in the mud. The more you do it, the more you realize the pig is enjoying it."

[RandomHero]

This Raiders team is better than last years, but we should still beat them. If we don't, I see a skid like last year coming.

[TiberiusRising]

I think this will be a close one. Our pass rush one of the top in the league and it took a few weeks to get going.

Also normally I would agree about our run D but the last 3 games we have been pretty good there. Only allowing 61yrds/per game by running backs and 75yrds/per game total. One of those games was against the #1 rushing offense. Not to mention your OL is a bit weaker.

[FourThreeMafia]

[Dracula58]

I see it close, Steelers losing after missing a last second field goal...

[ErnestoGuevara]

[Silver&Black88]

This should be a fun one. Just for what its worth:

We let up 104 rushing yards last week vs KC and 77 vs Seattle; so our 2 most recent games we've done well. The run defense has been a pain for a long time but lately we've been holding teams in check. Even before that the big play would inflate stats. Deservedly so, but whatever. Whether the good play continues or not is a different story but I just felt you guys should see that.

Lets hope for an injury-free game. Good (but not good enough) luck guys
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[steelcurtain29]

So lately we keep giving away games to Oakland when they suck... now that they actually have more wins than losses for once, does this mean we won't throw the game away
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Come Follow My Oakland Multi-Sport Franchise!

[greene91fan]

Raiders Forum GDT

These guys are getting up for this one fellas...kinda....sorta...ish.
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Thanks Lysar529 for the sig!

"Arguing with some people is like wrestling with a pig in the mud. The more you do it, the more you realize the pig is enjoying it."

[bbelan2343]

I'm predicting a Steelers blowout.

I don't predict large margins of victory often, and this game scares me from certain angles, but I feel the Steelers get it done this weekend.

The Raiders strengths play to ours, and with the way we lost last week and with the downfall we had during the same point last season, I'm seeing a 34-13 victory for the Good Guys.
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[DwarfToss]

Raiders have a fierce pass rush and average to below average run defense. If we can't run on early downs we could be in for a long day.

[steelcurtain29]

[ErnestoGuevara]

Is Jason Campbell starting? If so, I really like the Steelers' chances. He's a bum, I'd be much more worried if Gradkowski were starting.