5 bold predictions for Raiders against Steelers

3. Josh Jacobs will approach 100 yards on the ground to lead the running game

Though the Raiders defeated the Ravens at home in primetime, their offense will need to be considerably more balanced if they want to get to 2-0 after playing Pittsburgh. While everybody knows that Josh Jacobs is a beast at running back, he was held to only 34 rushing yards on 10 attempts. What is even crazier is he had two rushing touchdowns on the night for the Raiders.

While it was a shootout of sorts in the Nevada desert between the Ravens and Raiders on Monday night, expect for it to be a lower-scoring game in Pittsburgh on Sunday. For as good as it was to see Jacobs hit pay dirt twice in front of the home crowd, it might be more important for him to approach 100 yards on the ground. That will help keep the ball out of Roethlisberger’s hands.

Naturally, this is what Gruden would prefer his offense to run like anyway. If he can get Jacobs closer to 20 touches and have him be right around 100 yards rushing, that might mean the Raiders did enough to upset the Steelers at Heinz Field on Sunday. Even if the Raiders somehow win a second consecutive shootout, the more likely outcome to victory is one with ball control.

In limited action, Jacobs made the most of his touches on Monday Night Football vs. the Ravens.