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Steelers need to get right after tough loss against Raiders

By Jaleel Grandberry

Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders, Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers. (Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports)
Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders, Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers. (Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports) /
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The Pittsburgh Steelers suffer a Week 2 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

After barely pulling out a win in Week 1, the Pittsburgh Steelers suffered a tough loss today to the Las Vegas Raiders. In this game, they were not able to overcome many of the struggles that they did in their narrow victory on Sunday.

Losing 26-17, the Steelers were rather pedestrian on offense today. They struggled in the run game, the passing game, and just overall consistently moving the ball down field.

Running back Najee Harris, the team’s leading rusher, only had 38 yards on 10 carries. The Steelers in total attempted to run the ball 14 times for 39 yards.

This is a consistent struggle through the teams first two games. In the Week 1 victory, the rookie Harris led the team with 45 yards on 16 carries. The team finished that game with 75 total rushing yards on 21 attempts.

Pittsburgh Steelers struggle to run the ball in loss to Raiders

If Pittsburgh is not able to figure the offensive line out and get a productive run game going, they will face more fates like their loss today, instead of escaping with victories like they did in Week 1.

Pittsburgh also needs to get the passing attack figured out. Today against Las Vegas, Roethlisberger completed 27-of-40 passes, for 295 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The bulk of those yards came late in the game as the Raiders tried their best to almost lose another close game.

For majority of the game, the Steelers passing game was inconsistent. Much like in Week 1, Roethlisberger occasionally threw errant passes, and couldn’t connect in big-down situations.

Without a promising young quarterback on the roster, the Steelers appear to be stuck with Roethlisberger. Unless they plan to explore the Cam Newton option, the Steelers will just have to be patient as Roethlisberger works through his struggles.

The Steelers defense also surrendered 382 passing yards to the Raiders, so overall, it was a bad day for the team. Standing at 1-1 in a competitive division, they will have to figure things out fast.

They’ll have the opportunity to do that next week when they host the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals next weekend.

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