The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Las Vegas Raiders are set to face off in what could be a low-scoring showdown on Sunday night. Both teams have struggled to find their rhythm offensively, leading to a lack of points on the scoreboard.
The Steelers, currently holding a record of 1-1, have only managed to score 19 offensive points in their two games. They have been forced to punt the ball 13 times, while only recording 24 first downs. However, they were able to secure a 26-22 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Monday night with the help of defensive touchdowns by Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt.
On the other hand, the Raiders, also 1-1, find themselves tied for last in points per game with an average of just 13.5. Their star rusher, Josh Jacobs, is coming off a career-worst performance where he gained negative rushing yards (-2) on nine attempts in a 38-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Jacobs, who led the NFL in rushing yards last season, has only managed to gain 46 yards on 28 carries in the first two games of the season.
In their loss to the Bills, the Raiders struggled to maintain possession of the ball, running only 13 offensive plays in the second half and 39 for the entire game. This allowed the Bills to control the game, keeping the Raiders’ offense off the field for the majority of the game. Despite the struggles, the Raiders are hopeful for improvement and acknowledge their potential to perform better.
Both teams are dealing with offensive challenges and are looking to find their identity on that side of the ball. Steelers’ quarterback Kenny Pickett, in his second year, has had a slow start, throwing for 454 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. Pickett acknowledges that the Pittsburgh offense lacks an identity and emphasizes the importance of teamwork in finding success.
Meanwhile, Raiders’ new quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is also adjusting to his role and has admitted to making too many mistakes in their previous game against the Bills. Garoppolo understands that the team needs to play better if they want to defeat strong opponents like the Steelers.
While the focus has been on the offensive struggles of both teams, it’s worth noting that the Steelers’ defense has been impressive, with T.J. Watt leading the NFL in sacks with four. Their defense played a crucial role in their victory over the Browns, with defensive touchdowns making the difference in the game.
The Raiders, on the other hand, have had some injury concerns on the defensive side. Defensive end Chandler Jones has been placed on the non-football injury list, and defensive end Tyree Wilson and safety Chris Smith II missed practice due to illnesses. The Raiders will need their defense to step up and make an impact in the upcoming game.
As both teams prepare for this matchup, they are aware of the need to address their offensive struggles and improve their overall performance. The Steelers’ coach, Mike Tomlin, is particularly troubled by his team’s offensive woes and is determined to regain their mojo.
With the Steelers’ strong defense and the Raiders’ determination to bounce back, this low-scoring showdown promises an intriguing contest on Sunday night. Both teams are eager to find their flow on offense and secure a much-needed victory to boost their season.
In their previous encounter last season, the Steelers emerged victorious with a 13-10 win over the Raiders. It remains to be seen whether history will repeat itself or if the Raiders will be able to turn their fortunes around in their home opener.
