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2018 NFL Power Rankings, Week 15: Cowboys hot, Steelers not

By Russell S. Baxter

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 09: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass in the first quarter under pressure by Zach Cunningham #41 of the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 09: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass in the first quarter under pressure by Zach Cunningham #41 of the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 09: Tight end Derek Carrier #85 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum on December 9, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-21. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 09: Tight end Derek Carrier #85 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum on December 9, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-21. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

28. . 3-10. Previous: . Oakland Raiders. 29. team

Recap: Reduced to a playoff spoiler once again the Silver and Black hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both teams came into this clash losers of their last two games. But it was Jon Gruden’s club that rose to the occasion at several key moments and took advantage of the opposition’s sloppy play. Quarterback Derek Carr overcame four sacks and a lost fumble by throwing for 322 yards and a pair of scores. He led the team on an eight-play, 75-yard drive with less than three minutes to play, capping it off with a six-yard TD strike to tight end Derek Carrier on fourth downs with 21 seconds to play. And the Raiders got a timely assist from the Coliseum turf.

Next Week: The Bengals play host to the Silver Black for the first time since 2012 as these teams clash for only the third time in seven years. In the franchises’ most recent encounter, Cincinnati came away with 33-13 win at Oakland. As for the Raiders’ last appearance in the Queen City, the club was manhandled by a 34-10 score in ‘12.

Draft Talk: Make it 15 times in these last 16 seasons (dating back to 2003) that the Silver and Black won’t be in the playoffs. But the win over the talented Steelers showed that this club continues to play hard despite a year full of controversy and some questionable decision-making by the head coach and the organization in general.

Next: No. 28

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