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The 2021 regular season is upon us, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2. While the Steelers get ready for their home opener, it is time for the BTSC staff to put on their prognostication hats and guess the winner of the contest.
Who will get closest? We will be keeping tabs, so let’s get the picks. Check out the staff picks below, and even a pick from an enemy guest!
Jeff Hartman
Many are predicting the Steelers to blow out the Raiders, and while I would be happy with this result, I don’t see it going down in that fashion. I think the Raiders, with Waller leading the way, will make this a close game. Ultimately, the Steelers’ defense will prove to be too much and the home team will leave victorious, and covering the 5.5-point spread.
Pick: Steelers 27, Raiders 20
Dave Schofield
It’s the Steelers’ defense which will continue to drive the train. I was never exactly sure why people weren’t sold on this unit throughout the offseason, let alone with their other late additions. As long as the Steelers don’t have to score too much early in the season, they can be successful. I think the Steelers end up with the same point total as last week but with the offense getting both touchdowns this time around.
Pick: Steelers 23 Raiders 13
Bryan Anthony Davis
If the 2021 Raiders have nine lives, they may have used them all up on Monday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens. That was a 2 AM win and I’m not so sure how impressive it really was. But the same could be said about the Steelers in Buffalo. I expect a win out of the black and gold, but not in a runaway.
Pick: Steelers 27, Raiders 23
Michael Beck
The Raiders are coming off an emotional victory in overtime, flying across the country, and are battered by injury. Everything that could go the Steelers way is for this game. There will be no excuse for the Steelers not to take care of business. They should win this game handily.
Pick: Steelers 31, Raiders 10
K.T. Smith
The Raiders threw the ball 59 times last week against Baltimore. Meanwhile, the Steelers descended upon Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen whenever he dropped back to pass like flies at a picnic. Something has to give. The Vegas offensive line is banged up. Unless they can run the football, it’s going to be difficult for Carr against the Pittsburgh pass rush. That, and a competent afternoon from the offense begets a 2-0 start for the Steelers.
Pick: Steelers 27, Raiders 19
Geoffrey Benedict
Neither offenses do much through three quarters, but after Chris Boswell nails his second field goal of the game, Derek Carr does what Derek Carr does best and gives the Raiders a 7-6 lead in the 4th quarter, only to see Ben Roethlisberger hit Najee Harris for a long receiving TD to win the game.
Pick: Steelers 13, Raiders 7
Rich Schofield (Big Bro Scho)
After shocking the world last week by beating the Bills, the Steelers get to come home to play in front of the Heinz Field fans. The defense remains dominant and the offense continues to build off of its second half success last week. The Raiders play tough and physical but in the end are no match for the Steelers.
Pick: Steelers 24, Raiders 14
Shannon White
The Raiders have always given the Steelers fits, especially when the Steelers had to travel to the West Coast. This matchup is at the friendly confines of Heinz Field, with a full stadium for the first time since 2019. Huge advantage for the Steelers.
The Raiders have a talented offense, led by Pro Bowl TE Darren Waller, but the Steelers elite pass rush will harass QB Derek Carr into 2 or 3 turnovers on the afternoon. The Steelers offense will capitalize on the resulting field position.
Pick: Steelers 27, Raiders 23
Andrew Wilbar
The Raiders tend to be one of those teams that the Steelers could have issues putting away, but the depth at the offensive skill positions will be too much for Vegas’ secondary to handle. Plus, the Raiders completely remodeled their offensive line this offseason, and the Steelers proved the potency of their pass rush last week. Expect Derek Carr to be on his back a lot.
Pick: Steelers 27, Raiders 17
Matty Peverell
Bring on the Vegas Raiders! While T.J. Watt— who is not from this Earth— won’t get to play in the UFO or giant robot vacuum cleaner (depending on your visual interpretation), he’s playing at his adopted home of Heinz Field and boy is this asteroid ready to leave an impact! The Raiders will trouble the Steelers more than many might think, but the black and gold defense will get one, if not two defensive scores, to put this game out of reach for the most overly represented team amongst Australian NFL fans.
Pick: Steelers 30, Raiders 17
Mark Davison
Last week on Steelers Touchdown Under my co-host Matty and I picked every game throughout the 17 game season. Matty asked the question who wins the Las Vegas Raiders or Pittsburgh Steelers? Quickly I announced the Steelers will win 45-0. A few days later during the Scho Bro show with Dave and Rich I backed up what I said. Foolish enough as it sounds, I’m a man of my word and I believe the Steelers win big here. The Steelers need to treat this opponent as a five star matchup. However If the Steelers show up like they did vs. the Bills then this offense is ready to explode and the defense will turn off Derrick Carr’s ignition.
Pick: Steelers 45, Raiders 0
Anthony Defeo
Will the Steelers overlook the Raiders? Quite frankly, I don’t think they’re in a position to overlook anyone. Even if they were totally up for this game, I still don’t think they’re loaded enough to necessarily win. But I do think the Steelers will win. The Raiders come to town missing some key players due to injury. Plus, there’s the whole deal of flying cross-country for a 1 p.m. game.
Pick: Steelers 21, Raiders 17
Matt Holder (Silver and Black Pride Contributor)
Riding high off of a Week 1 victory, I’ve gotta be a homer and go with the Raiders. I think it will be an ole’ fashion slug-fest.
Pick: Raiders 20, Steelers 16
What is your prediction? Let us know in the comment section below, and feel free to tell the contributors above why they are dead wrong, or spot on!
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