IT’S GAME DAY!!

That means while we all wait for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders to kickoff at 4:05pm EST in Week  on Sunday, it’s time to take a look at who the SCN staff likes in this game. The current line for the game is PIT (-3) with a Total of 36.5.

But these picks are vs. the spread, or based on an over/under. These are straight up picks. So, let’s get to the prognostications…

Jeff Hartman

The Steelers need this win, and they need it bad. Not just to snap the two-game skid they are on, but also for the fact they need to prove to themselves, and the fan base, they can handle a lesser opponent. Sure, the Steelers have injuries, but so do the Raiders. There are so many narratives which can come from this game. Who will be the quarterback moving forward? Will it not just be a win, but a decisive win? Let’s hope the answers to these questions are all known, and in a positive way.

Prediction: Steelers 23, Raiders 13

Dave Schofield

I admit, I am not impressed by the Las Vegas Raiders and the lineup they are going to be putting on the field on Sunday. Based on who’s available, this might be the weakest roster the Steelers face all season. For that reason, this game scares me. This is a game that the Steelers could have every chance to just come out and blow the doors off their opponent. Unfortunately, in these types of games, I’ve grown accustomed to watching a “scared“ brand of football. A scared approach of just trying not to screw up, something which got the Steelers in the last two weeks, is the greatest chance for the Steelers to lose this game. While I fully expect them to come out and play in this manner, I’m still finding myself the eternal optimist and think they manage to pull off a victory without covering the spread.

Prediction: Steelers 17, Raiders 15

Jeremy Betz

I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I just feel like this is going to be one of those rare fun weeks of Steelers football where the team dominates from start to finish. Maybe I’m wish-casting a little, but I’m predicting a QB1-solidifying performance from Justin Fields this week and a huge bounce-back from the defense against a banged up Raiders team. Steelers handle business handily, for once.

Prediction: Steelers 23, Raiders 3

Anthony Defeo

No Davante Adams for the Raiders. However, no outside linebackers for Pittsburgh, OK, T.J. Watt, and I hear he is pretty good. Maxx Crosby will likely be a handful for the Steelers offensive line. I see yet another snorefest on offense with Justin Fields starting again. Aiden O’Connell is getting the start at quarterback which almost guarantees Mike Tomlin will want to be a risk-adverse on offense as ever.

Prediction: Steelers 17, Raiders 10

Big Bro Scho

I am now back into prove-it mode with the Steelers. They are now going to have to show me that they are capable of winning games. The last two weeks could have and should have been wins, but the Steelers found ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Because of that I will not be picking the Steelers again until they show that they can earn a victory and not “hope to pull one out”. Can either side of the ball come through this week? Both sides have been playing down to their opponents the last 2 weeks. Because this game is on the road I am going to go with the Raiders.

Prediction: Raiders 20, Steelers 17

K.T. Smith

The Steelers were worse than the final score indicated last week. I think this is a great opportunity for a bounce-back against a Raiders squad that has plenty of injuries and issues.

Prediction: Steelers 24, Raiders 14

Corey Eckenroth

The Steelers are reeling from back to back losses to the Colts and Cowboys. Injuries have ravaged the Oline and hamper the LB’s. George Pickens’ attitude issues and possible reprimand from the League for his eye black. Did someone say Devante Adams might be in a Steelers uniform soon? Soooo many distractions.

Maybe playing the Raiders will fix that? Maybe not. Going west to play the Raiders has never been easy for the Steelers. If you think PIT v DAL is a good legacy rivalry, then this will make it two weeks in a row for those fans. Postseason history between these two makes the hate run deep, just as Coach KT Smith and his alter ego CHISAP.

Somehow PIT rights the ship here with all the distractions and questions surrounding the team. For all the ‘Tomlin Letdown’ games we fans endure, there is also the ‘backs against the wall’ games the Steelers win when it seems they have no business doing so. This falls into the latter.

The offense finds some life making running lanes, and Minkah puts the defense on his back with not one, but TWO INT’s against rookie QB Aiden O’Connell to help the Steelers come out of this with a W.

Prediction: Steelers 23, Raiders 18

Jason Murphy

The Steelers will be playing backups of the backups against the Raiders. Conventional thinking would be to call a conservative game plan on both sides of the ball to protect the inexperienced players getting the start.

A better way to help these guys would be to install a stripped down game plan that allows for more aggression and less thinking. Send the blitz against Aidan O’Connell making his first start and play man coverage behind it. On offense, stop calling outside zone for Najee and let him do what he does best. Call man block plays and run power straight up the middle. Give the ball to Justin Fields and let him prove that he can stretch the field and put up points early in the game against a questionable Raiders secondary.

Will the Steelers coaching staff do that? All trends point to no. Last year they had a three-game losing streak against subpar teams, and this organization seems to repeat mistakes rather than learn from them. I’m afraid this will duplicate last year’s triple goose egg as they continue to live in their fears.

Prediction: Raiders 19, Steelers 13

Sadie Hubler

Sitting at 3-2 with a schedule that only increases in difficulty down the stretch, Pittsburgh NEEDS to win this one. The last two games have not been pretty outings for the team, and if a few less mistakes were made, there is a potential that the Steelers are 5-0 right now. Jaylen Warren should be back this week to complement Najee Harris in the backfield. While Highsmith and Herbig are out this week, TJ Watt always turns up the heat on the opposing quarterback, and this is Aiden O’Connell’s first start of the season. I don’t see Pittsburgh putting together a complete and satisfying game that Steelers fans are desperately craving to see, but I do think they can pull out the W today and give themselves something to build off of moving forward.

Prediction: Steelers 13, Raiders 10

What is your prediction? Let us know in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the upcoming Week 6 game between the Steelers and Raiders.