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In Sunday’s matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders, I believe that the x-factor of this game will be Pittsburgh’s running game versus Oakland’s run defense.
This matchup will be a very interesting one. Just two weeks into the regular season, the Steelers are ranked 30th in the NFL in rushing (70.5 yards per game). Pittsburgh has yet to find their rhythm carrying the ball, mainly due to lack of cohesiveness on the offensive line. However, this week may be the turning point in Pittsburgh’s ground attack.
To say that the Raiders struggled last week to stop the run would be an understatement. Oakland surrendered 263 yards and three touchdowns on the ground in their loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 2.
Even with running back Rashard Mendenhall sidelined for the third consecutive week, the Steelers should have their first productive running game of the season. Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer ended last week’s game against the New York Jets strong, and are in a prime position to carry that momentum into Oakland.
Another thing that will help Pittsburgh’s run offense is the offense’s ability to sustain long drives. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has done a great job of doing this thus far in this season. In addition to the running game, having Roethlisberger use a short, controlled passing attack as an extension to the running game will benefit Redman and Dwyer even more against Oakland’s porous run defense.
Before the season started, I predicted that the Steelers would win this game by the score of 34-17. After taking a closer look at what I think would be the x-factor of this game, I stand by my previous prediction.
Pittsburgh’s backfield will finally take it to another level, thanks in part to Big Ben’s ability to sustain long, methodic drives that will wear down the Raiders’ defense.
Follow me on Twitter @ClydeASpeller
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