Oakland Raiders Schedule Release: 6 Games The Team Should Circle Now
By Kevin Saito
Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws the ball in front of Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil (58) during the second quarter in the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Week #9 @Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s not the old rivalry and enmity between these two ancient rivals that makes circling this game on the calendar a priority. It’s the fact that the Steelers will represent a fantastic test for this new, young, and potentially explosive Raiders team.
The Raiders struggled mightily against the run last season, and were gashed for big gains, as well as huge rushing totals for a good portion of the season. With new faces like Dan Williams, Malcolm Smith, Curtis Lofton, and Nate Allen reinforcing that Oakland defense and strengthening it up the middle, the Raiders are hoping their showing against the run in 2015 will be vastly improved.
Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, with 1,361 yards on the ground in 2014 – second only to former Cowboy/now Eagle running back DeMarco Murray – will present an incredibly stiff test for the Raiders.
This game will also feature a very difficult test for young, and more or less unproven, cornerbacks D. J. Hayden, and Travis Carrie. Pittsburgh’s offense showed some incredible pop last season, with QB Ben Roethlisberger throwing for nearly 5,000 yards and 32 touchdowns.
If the Raiders can pass these tests, they might be on to something incredibly good. If they fail the test, it could mean some very, very bad things for the Raiders.
Next: Week 15 Matchup