5 reasons the Raiders will beat Steelers on Sunday

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 13: Zay Jones #7 of the Las Vegas Raiders makes a catch to score the game winning touchdown in overtime to defeat the Baltimore Ravens 33-27 at Allegiant Stadium on September 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

2 of 5

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 13: Henry Ruggs III #11 of the Las Vegas Raiders makes a catch against the Baltimore Ravens at Allegiant Stadium on September 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

4. Utilize all of team’s pass-catching options

In Monday night’s overtime victory over the visiting Baltimore Ravens, 2020 Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller led all pass-catchers in the game with 10 receptions and 105 receiving yards. But what was really astounding was just how many times quarterback Derek Carr looked the former Ravens’ way on Monday night.

Waller was targeted on 19 occasions, 10 more times that teammate/wide receiver Hunter Renfrow in the 33-27 victory. Carr actually finished with 52 targets and his improving tight end total more than one-third of those tries on Monday evening.

It wasn’t as if the Raiders’ other pass-catchers didn’t have their moments. Henry Ruggs III did have a 37-yard reception, the team’s longest play of the night. Second-year wideout Bryan Edwards caught four passes for 81 yards. And Zay Jones caught both passes thrown to him by Carr, including the game-winning 31-yards TD grab in overtime.

All told, eight different Raiders caught passes from their starting quarterback on Monday night. But don’t be surprised if Waller has another big outing – especially against a Steelers’ defense that has had its issues covering tight ends in recent years. It would not be a shock to see Waller get at least a dozen passes thrown to him at Pittsburgh.

Home/Las Vegas Raiders