NFL Expert Picks: Experts like the Steelers to remain perfect vs. the Raiders in Week 2

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders are slated to face off in Week 2 of the 2021 regular season, and there are a lot of narratives between these two AFC teams. For the Raiders, they have the look of a vastly improved team, while the Steelers are a team who are trying to forge a new identity as they look to try and start their 2021 season 2-0 after their upset victory over the Buffalo Bills in Week 1.

At this point it is time to check in and see who the pundits who call themselves experts like in this showdown at Heinz Field this Sunday.

For those new to this article, there are two types of experts, when it comes to NFL picks. There are those who just pick the overall winner, and those who expound on their picks and give a reason for their prediction.

As for the former of the above types of experts, there is a resounding feel the Steelers are going to roll in this game. According to experts at both USA Today and Sports Illustrated, they unanimously like the Steelers to move to 2-0, while moving the Raiders’ record to 1-1. However, at ESPN, there is a lone expert who thinks the Raiders will go across country, on a short week, and upset the Steelers at Heinz Field for their home opener.

As for the experts who put some thought behind their picks, and give their explanantion, here is what Pete Prisco of CBS Sports thinks about the upcoming AFC showdown in Pittsburgh.

The Raiders are playing on a short week and now must head out to face a Pittsburgh team playing its home opener. Both teams opened with victories, but it was the Steelers who truly impressed in beating the Bills on the road. The defense was suffocating. I think that will be the case here as well. The Steelers front will stifle Derek Carr and the Steelers will do enough on offense to get to 2-0.

Pick: Steelers 23, Raiders 14

The experts at The Sporting News also give some explanation for their picks, and they too like the Steelers at home.

The Steelers silenced some critics with a key victory against Buffalo in Week 1. Now, they get the Raiders on a short week. Look for rookie running back Najee Harris to see better results in his second game, and T.J. Watt will ignite the pass rush.

Pick: Steelers 30, Raiders 20

These are just a few sites who make weekly NFL picks. When you think about all those sites not listed above, this is when we turn to our friends at NFL Pick Watch, a site dedicated to tracking NFL expert picks by the week. They take all expert picks and put them into an easy-to-read graph for fans to enjoy. When it comes to the Steelers vs. Raiders game, a whopping 87% of NFL experts like the Steelers to hold serve at home Sunday.

What do you think about the upcoming game? Will the experts have it right? Or are they way off? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black and gold as they prepare for the Raiders in Week 2.