It's time to put last Sunday's loss by the Pittsburgh Steelers to the New England Patriots out of sight, out of mind. That can't really happen until the black and gold take the field this coming Sunday afternoon against the Oakland Raiders. But since we can't do anything but wait, let's at least turn our attention to the Steelers' Week 11 tilt with the surging Raiders. I've got a post coming Thursday about just how important this Sunday;s game is - a win and the Stelers are on the inside track towards a playoff spot, regardless of what problems might be ailing them; a loss and it's officially time to panic.

These types of games are why we watch and love the NFL. I'll be elaborating further, but this week's game is very much like our Week 11 contest against the Chargers in 2008. It wasn't pretty that week, but we won, 11-10. I'm hoping for that same outcome, no matter how we get there.

For now, here's a few trends, notes and figures about the two historic rivals' series history, as well as up-to-date season stats for both teams.

OAKLAND RAIDERS (5-4) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (6-3)

SERIES

STATS

NOTES

STEELERS:

• Have 15-6 (.714) record under head coach Mike Tomlin at Heinz Field vs. AFC opponents. (Let's fire him!!!!!)
  
• Since 1st start in Week 6, QB Ben Roethlisberger leads NFL w/ 1,304 passing yards during span. (What's wrong with Ben!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
  
• Has 35-11 (.761) record at home w/ 67 TDs vs. 42 INTs & 92.5 passer rating. Had season-high 387 passing yards last week, his 2nd 300-yard passing game of season. Had 123.3 passer rating in last game vs. Oak.
• RB Rashard Mendenhall (7) needs 1 rush TD to surpass career high of 7 in '09. Had 103 rush yards on 20 att. (5.2 avg.) w/ rush TD in only meeting vs. Oak.
• In past 3 vs. Raiders, WR Hines Ward is averaging 85.7 receiving yards per game (257 total). (Looks like Hines is cleared and ready to play)
  
• WR Mike Wallace had career-highs in catches (8), receiving yards (136) & TDs (2) last week. Aims for 3rd consecutive game w/ 100+ rec. yards (110, 136). Has career-best 7 TD rec. & seeks 3rd straight game w/ TD.
  
• Rookie WR Emmanuel Sanders (3rd round, No. 82) had 1st NFL TD catch last week...
• Defense allows league-low 63.2 rush yards per game this year...LB LaMarr Woodley had 2 sacks in last game vs. Oak.

RAIDERS:

• Club aims to win 4 consecutive games for 1st time since 11/11/02-12/8/02 (5 straight wins).
• Oakland is averaging 458.0 yards per game in past 3 (1,374 total; 508 vs. Den.; 545 vs. Sea.; 321 vs. KC).
• In past 3, QB Jason Campbell has completed 46 of 80 passes (57.5 pct.) for 743 yards w/ 5 TDs vs. 1 INT & 104.3 passer rating.
• RB Darren McFadden leads NFL w/ 108.1 rush yards per game in '10 (757 total). McFadden (4) needs rush TD to surpass career-high of 4 in '08.
• WR Louis Murphy had career-best in rec. yards (128) & TDs (2) in last game vs. Pit...
• Rookie WR-KR Jacoby Ford (4th round, No. 108) had career-highs in receptions (6), receiving yards (148) & KR yards (158), incl. 94-yard KR-TD in last game. Ford joined former Steelers WR Gary Ballman (161 receiving yards, 159 kick return yards; at Washington on 11/17/63) as only players in NFL history to have at least 140 receiving yards and 150 kick return yards in game.
• TE Zach Miller ranks 3rd among AFC TEs w/ 461 receiving yards.
• DT Tommy Kelly aims for 5th straight game with at least half sack...