Steelers Lose To Raiders 21-18
There is a reason why this blog is entitled, The Pittsburgh Steelers Report. I report but rarely make commentary. I leave that to the sports pundits or to the occasional guest columnist. But, after today's game, I'm compelled to ask: WTF?
In addition to the Raiders winning their first game after a bye since 2002, their quarterback---Terrelle Pryor---managed to pull off something never done by an NFL quarterback: He ran for a 93-yard touchdown on the first play of the game. Again---WTF?
And it didn't end there. Normally reliable Shaun Suisham missed a 34-yard attempt with 8 seconds remaining in the first half enabling the Raiders to go into their locker room retaining a 21-3 lead.
If it couldn't get any worse, it did. Steelers lost three offensive linemen. By the end of the third quarter, the Steelers lost Ramon Foster to a concussion, David DeCastro to a right-ankle injury and Guy Whimper to a left knee injury.
There was some good news. The defense managed to come up with three turnovers. Brent Keisel's fumble recovery led to a Steeler score closing the gap to 21-10.
Bottom Line: The Steelers allowed the Raiders to control most of the game. And the running game was virtually non-existent. The team looked lethargic.
The Numbers:
- Steelers play selection was 70-30% with passing surpassing rushes.
- Roethlishberger was 29/45 for 275 yards with one TD and 2 interceptions.
- LeVeon Bell ran for a paltry 24 yards on 13 carries. However, he did score one TD.
- Dwyer ran for a whopping 9 yards on 3 carries.
- Sanders ended up with 88 yards on 7 receptions and one TD.
- Antonio Brown made 9 receptions for 82 yards.
- Steelers managed 20 first downs to the Raiders 13.
- Third down efficiency was a meager 27%.
- Efficiency in the Red Zone: 50%
- Steelers had 3 penalties resulting in 12 yards.
Steelers.com, Fox Sports
