Cheat Sheet: Steelers vs. Raiders

SERIES HISTORY

This matchup has a storied history and was an incredible rivalry in the 1970s. This series began in 1970, and during that decade, the Steelers and Raiders met 11 times, including five playoff battles - three of which were AFC Championship games. In the '70s the Raiders won six of those 11. Overall, the Oakland/Los Angeles/Las Vegas Raiders lead this series 17-15, but these teams have split 3-3 in the postseason. The Steelers have won eight of the last 11, but the Raiders did have a six-game winning streak spanning between 1976 and 1984. Mike Tomlin is 4-5 against the Raiders after winning last year 23-18 in their first trip to Las Vegas.

MATCHUP OVERVIEW

• The Steelers are 2-1 on the road this year while Las Vegas is 1-1 at home. Pittsburgh is 11-4 in its last 15 regular season road games. The Steelers have won their past 14 road games when leading going into the fourth quarter. That is the longest current streak in the NFL. Pittsburgh is 4-0 in its last four AFC West matchups since 2022.
• Pittsburgh (3-2) has outscored its opponents by 19 points this season while the Raiders (2-3) point differential is minus-35 through five games. Although the Steelers lost their past two games, both losses were only by three points each, while Las Vegas' three losses have come by a combined 42 points.
• Through five weeks, 21 of the 32 NFL teams have two or three wins.
• Since 2022, the Steelers are 19-5 in games in which they did not throw an interception and are 3-11 with at least one interception thrown. Pittsburgh is 8-2 in games it forced multiple turnovers since 2023 and 1-4 when forcing zero turnovers. Over the past three seasons and now including the three games in 2024, the Steelers are 30-8 when they won or tied the turnover battle. Pittsburgh is 1-16-1 when they lost that turnover battle over that stretch with that one win coming in Week 3. Going back to the start of the 2020 season, the Steelers are 22-3 when they don't turn the ball over.
• Las Vegas was minus-3 in turnover differential in Week 5 and is now minus-7 for the season, worst in the league. Pittsburgh is now up to plus-4 for the season and has eight takeaways. The Raiders have just two takeaways and are worst in the NFL with nine giveaways.
• The Raiders are averaging 2.6 fewer sacks plus takeaways than their opponents, 29^th in the league.
• The Steelers average time of possession now sits at 32:04 compared to 29:25 for Las Vegas. Pittsburgh's opponents average just 58 plays run per game, seventh lowest.
• Pittsburgh is averaging 18.4 points per game, the lowest amongst the 15 teams currently with a winning record.
• Pittsburgh averages 3.7 yards per rush and allows 3.7 yards per rush. But the Steelers produce 30 more rushing yards per game than their opponents. Las Vegas averages 3.9 rushing yards per attempt but allows 4.9, and the Raiders are being outrushed by 47.8 yards per game. The Raiders average 3.9 rushing yards per attempt and Pittsburgh average 3.7. That ranks 28^th and 29^th respectively, but the Steelers are producing 37.2 more rushing yards per game than Las Vegas.
• The Steelers were outgained by 219 yards last week. That is the worst yardage differential at home since Week 16 of 1998.
• The Raiders go three-and-out the seventh most percentage in the league.
• Pittsburgh has gained 16 first down by penalty this season. Their opponents have collectively just five. The Steelers have had 36 penalties accepted and their opponents have 36 penalties accepted. Pittsburgh is plus-96 in penalty yardage, however.
• Las Vegas has trailed for 67.5% of its offensive snaps, 29^th in the league.
• The record of Las Vegas' collective opponents is currently 9-10. Pittsburgh's is 13-11. Including the Raiders, each of Pittsburgh's next three opponents are currently under .500.
• Since 1990, teams that begin the season 4-2 make the playoffs at a 63.8% clip, while teams that start 3-3 go to the postseason just 35.3% of the time.
• The Raiders have not won at home against an opponent that entered the game with a winning record since Week 15 of 2022.
• The Raiders have had just one winning season since 2016 and haven't won their division since 2002.

WHEN PITTSBURGH HAS THE BALL

• Pittsburgh now averages 4.8 yards per play on offense. The Raiders defense gives up 5.5 yards per play.
• The Steelers have thrown the ball on 47.8% of their snaps. Only four offenses throw it a lower percent of the time. Pittsburgh has thrown it at a 54.2% clip over its past three games.
• The Steelers are first in the league in usage of 13 Personnel (17%), as well as 14 Personnel (2%). They are fifth in usage of 11 Personnel with a sixth offensive lineman (2.5%), as well as fifth in their usage of 12 Personnel with a sixth offensive lineman (4%).
• 40% of Pittsburgh's scoring plays have been touchdowns. Only three teams have a lower percentage.
• In terms of explosive plays (15 or more yards), only the Browns are lower than the 6.7% explosive play rate. Pittsburgh is 29^th in such runs and 30^th in such passes. The Raiders defense is 24^th at 10.8% and 23^rd vs. such passes at 8.5%.
• Pittsburgh's offense has scored eight touchdowns. Only five offenses have fewer, one of which already had their bye week.
• Pittsburgh turns a series of downs into a first down or touchdown 70% of the time, which is exactly league average.
• The Steelers gain 4.1 yards per play on first downs. When it runs the ball on first downs, Pittsburgh averages 3.1 yards per play. The Steelers' 5.5 passing yards per play on first down is ahead of only six teams.
• The Steelers offense uses play action on 32% of their pass attempts. Only the Lions and Colts are higher.
• Justin Fields was 0-for-6 on passes 20-plus yards downfield last week, but 11 for 13 in 10 yards downfield or shorter. Fields only completed two passes of 10-plus yards.
• Fields' average time to throw of 2.99 seconds is higher than all qualified quarterbacks other than Brock Purdy, Sam Darnold, Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson.
• George Pickens ran a route on 77.4% of pass plays last week, and when the Steelers only had two wide receivers on the field, Pickens saw just one of 19 possible snaps against Dallas. Pickens still led the team with a 34.5% target share against the Cowboys, but his 59% snap share was the lowest of his career. Pickens played 88% of the snaps in Week 4. Pickens is responsible for 43% of the Steelers air yards this season and 50% of the end zone targets, as well as 40% of the targets on third/fourth downs. Pickens and Brandon Aiyuk are the only two wide receivers with 300-plus receiving yards and no touchdowns.
• The Raiders are eighth in yards per target (7.5) and seventh (1.9%) touchdown rate to boundary receivers.
• Pat Freiermuth ran a route on 90.3% of pass plays against Dallas. He has yet to receive an end zone target this season and is responsible for just 12% of the Steelers total air yards. Freiermuth has an average depth of target of just 5.0 yards downfield. Among tight ends, only Freiermuth and George Kittle have 20-plus receptions and two or more touchdown receptions. The Raiders allow 8.4 yards per target to tight ends, 27^th in the league.
• Najee Harris only played one third-down snap last week, but he did run a route on 65% of Pittsburgh's dropbacks against Dallas. That was his season high. Harris has been over 60% in each of the past two games after being at around 40% in his first three games.
• Fields has been sacked three or more times in each of the Steelers' losses. He was sacked twice in each of Pittsburgh's wins. The Steelers are 11-2 since 2023 when allowing two or fewer sacks. They are 2-7 when allowing three or more.
• Maxx Crosby has aligned as the left edge rusher on 79.6% of his defensive snaps this season. Last week was Crosby's 13^th career game with two or more sacks, third-most in the NFL since 2019.
• Harris is averaging 3.3 yards per carry on 82 rushing attempts. He had a season-high 74% snap share last week. Harris has 70-plus scrimmage yards in eight-straight games. That is the longest streak in the NFL. Harris and Jordan Mason are the only two running backs with 70-plus scrimmage yards in every game this season.
• Harris has 16 touches in each of the past two games, both losses. He had 18-plus in the first three games, all victories. The Steelers are 10-1 when Harris gets 17-plus touches going back to 2023 and 3-8 with 16 or fewer.
• Aaron Shampklin played six of the seven third-down snaps in Week 5.
• The Raiders defense allows 4.9 yards per carry. Only five defenses are worse. They also allow 5.2 yards per rush to running backs. Only one defense is worse.
• The Raiders allow 1.82 yards per carry before first contact. That is seventh-highest in the league.
• The Raiders held Denver to 3 of 12 on third downs last week.
• The Steelers have started four different offensive line combinations in their five games this season and four Steelers offensive linemen have made their first career start in the first four weeks of the season.
• Pittsburgh's offense has converted exactly half of their red zone opportunities. The Raiders defense is allowing 61.1%.
• Las Vegas is allowing a third down conversion rate of 30%, fourth-best in the league. When combining third and fourth down conversion rate, the Raiders defense is eighth (30%) in the NFL. Las Vegas faces an average third down of 7.8 yards to go which is ninth-best. The Steelers are converting third downs at a 40.6% clip.

WHEN LAS VEGAS HAS THE BALL

• The Raiders are producing 5.0 yards per offensive snap this season. Pittsburgh's defense is surrendering 5.1 yards per play after giving up 5.9 vs. Dallas.
• Las Vegas is throwing the ball at a 63.4% clip. That is the sixth-highest percentage in the league.
• The Raiders are fourth in usage of 02 Personnel at 1.1% and fifth usage of 13 Personnel at 4.8% of their snaps.
• Pittsburgh allows 14.6 points per game. Only the Chargers are better. Only the Chargers, Titans, Saints and Jets have allowed fewer touchdowns (7) than Pittsburgh. The Steelers have allowed their opponents to score on 29.4% of their drives, fourth-best in the league.
• The Raiders turn a series of downs into a first down or touchdown 67% of the time. Only seven offenses are worse.
• Pittsburgh's defense is 9^th best (8.9%) in not allowing explosive plays (15-plus yards). It is fourth-best at not allowing such runs.
• Aiden O'Connell replaced Gardner Minshew at quarterback last week, as he did in the Raiders' game against Carolina. He threw the ball 20 times, completing half of them but for just 92 yards without a touchdown pass and one interception.
• Minshew is completing 71% of his passes compared to 59% for O'Connell, but O'Connell has an average depth of target of 8.2 yards downfield compared to 6.5 for Minshew. Minshew has a 7.2 yards per attempt compared to 5.5 for O'Connell.
• With Davante Adams on the field this season, Las Vegas has completed 73.4% of its passes with a 7.3 yards per attempt. With Adams off the field those numbers tumble to 60.3% and 6.3 yards per attempt.
• Jakobi Meyers has had 5-plus catches in three-straight games after catching seven passes over the first two weeks of the season. He has been targeted 28 times over the past three weeks. With Adams out of the lineup the past two weeks, Meyers has seen a target share of 42% and 26% last week. His 42% target share was the highest in the league in Week 4. O'Connell has targeted Meyers on 31% of his pass attempts compared to 19% from Minshew. With Adams out of the lineup, Meyers has played 75.5% and 89.1% of his snaps outside compared with rates of 43.1%, 48.2%, and 55.6% to open the season.
• Tight end Brock Bowers led the team in targets (12) as well as receptions (8) last week and finished the day with eight catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. Bowers hit a career high 33.3% target share and number of targets against Denver. But in that game, Bowers only had an average depth of target of 5.8 yards downfield, which is right with his 5.7 average depth of target for the season. Bowers has yet to receive an end zone target. Among all tight ends since 2000, Bowers' 313 receiving yards over his first five games is the second most. Among rookies, Bowers ranks second in receptions and third in receiving yards.
• Raiders quarterbacks are getting sacked on 9% of their dropbacks. Only seven offenses are worse.
• The Steelers defense is blitzing 20.6% of opposing dropbacks. Only five defenses have a lower blitz rate.
• TJ Watt is one of three players along with Derrick Hall and Gervon Dexter to have at least one sack in four or more games this season.
• The Raiders 84.0 average rushing yards per game ranks only ahead of the Jets and Cowboys, and their rushing success rate is by far last in the league at 27.7%. For perspective, Houston is 31^st in rushing success rate at 31.4%. League average is 41.2%.
• The Steelers defense allows 3.7 yards per carry. Only the Ravens and Vikings are better. 18.5% of carries against Pittsburgh go for a loss of yardage or no gain. That is seventh-best in the league. 30.8% of runs against Pittsburgh have gone for five or more yards, the second-lowest rate in the league.
• Alexander Mattison carried the ball 15 times (no one else had more than five carries) last week but could only accumulate 38 rushing yards. Zamir White leads the team with 152 rushing yards this year but averages just 3.1 yards per carry. Mattison is second with 125 rushing yards, but he averages 3.9 yards per rush. With White out of the lineup last week, Mattison got a 65% rush attempt share.
• Ameer Abdullah played all 22 fourth quarter snaps last week in a blowout loss.
• Raiders running backs are last in success rate (22.2%) on the ground and last with 13.3% of their rushing attempts gaining a first down or touchdown.
• O'Connell doesn't have a rushing attempt this season. Minshew has 11 for 38 yards.
• Las Vegas has 12 rushes of 10-plus yards. Only seven offenses have fewer.
• Las Vegas is converting in the red zone at a 66.7% clip. The Steelers allow a 33.3% conversion rate in the red zone. Only the Saints and Chargers are better.
• Pittsburgh is allowing a third down conversion rate of 38.7%. The Steelers' yards to go they face on third downs is 8.0 yards, sixth best. The Raiders are converting third downs 35.9% of their opportunities.

SPECIAL TEAMS

• The Steelers have now returned five kickoffs, four of which came last week against the Cowboys. Their opponents have also returned five kickoffs.

MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT

Dec. 23, 1972: Steelers 13, Raiders 7, Three Rivers Stadium

Well, how could we go any other direction than The Immaculate Reception? This game is one of the most historic games in the history of the sport. Chuck Noll's Steelers hosted John Madden's Raiders in the AFC Divisional Playoff round. We all know how it ended, with Franco Harris ending up in the end zone to clinch the win for Pittsburgh in what NFL Films has dubbed the greatest and most controversial play in NFL history. And an amazing rivalry was born.

KEY MATCHUPS

Raiders TE Brock Bowers vs. Steelers S DeShon Elliott - Bowers had a 57-yard catch-and-run touchdown last week on the opening drive of the game. He is proving to be too big for cornerbacks and too fast for linebackers. And Bowers is exceptional after the catch. The rookie tight end is already one of the best tight end weapons in the NFL and containing him will be a difficult chore not only for Elliott, but for the majority of Pittsburgh's back seven.

Steelers Offensive Tackles vs. Raiders DE Maxx Crosby - Crosby will come off the edge from the quarterback's right and left side, so dealing with him will fall on both Steelers offensive tackles - presumably with a lot of help - but most often, against Broderick Jones. This is truly an elite edge player that wins with great length, athletic ability and a simply relentless style of play. Crosby also plays a ton of snaps week after week. Crosby had two sacks last week.