Last Week: Raiders 33, Ravens 27 (OT)
Las Vegas survived Baltimore in what can only be described as one of the wildest games in Monday Night Football history. The Raiders trailed throughout before their offense caught fire in the fourth quarter, putting up 17 points to force overtime behind Derek Carr’s NFL-leading 435 total passing yards.
They appeared to score on their first drive of the extra period, but replay overturned a Bryan Edwards touchdown. Then rookie tackle Alex Leatherwood false-started to push them back and Carr threw an interception in the end zone on a deflected pass.
But Las Vegas came back again, with Carl Nassib forcing and recovering a fumble that allowed for Carr to find Zay Jones for a 31-yard game-winning touchdown in front of 61,756 fans at Allegiant Stadium.
This Week: Raiders (1-0) at Steelers (1-0)
When: Sunday, December 19, 10 a.m.
Where: Heinz Field
TV: CBS (Channel 8)
Radio: 920-AM, KOMP-92.3
Betting line: Steelers -5.5, over/under 47.5
Matchup: Las Vegas and Pittsburgh both pulled off upsets over consensus Super Bowl contenders in Week 1, and they did it in similar fashion.
The Steelers knocked off the Buffalo Bills, 23-17, behind one of the only pass rushes that proved as lethal as what the Raiders showed against the Ravens. Pittsburgh edge rusher T.J. Watt, one of the best defensive players in the league, tallied two sacks and five quarterback hits—almost identical to the two sacks and four quarterback hits put up by Las Vegas’ Maxx Crosby.
Yannick Ngakoue, playing on the end opposite of Crosby, was also disruptive in his Raiders’ debut before a hamstring injury forced him to exit in the fourth quarter. This week’s game could come down to which team is more successful maintaining its high pressure rate. With Ngakoue potentially out, the Raiders will need big contributions from backups Nassib and Clein Ferrell, who was inactive against the Ravens.
Raider to Watch: Right tackle Alex Leatherwood
It was a rough debut for the Raiders’ rookie top draft choice, who picked up three penalties, including two that stalled drives and indirectly took points off the board. He won’t have any time to be discouraged, though, with the likes of Watt looking to attack him this week.
The Raiders must win the battle up front against the Steelers, and a big part of that will depend on the progression of the Alabama product from Week 1 to Week 2.
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