Raiders vs Steelers Picks & Odds: Disappointing Teams Square Off Saturday

The Las Vegas Raiders (6-8 SU, 7-7 ATS) will try to upset the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-8, 7-6-1) on the road for the second year in a row Saturday as small underdogs at sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. The Raiders beat the Steelers 26-17 as 5.5-point road dogs in Week 2 of 2021, and this will mark the 50th anniversary of the “Immaculate Reception” that helped Pittsburgh win their divisional playoff matchup back in 1972.

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Raiders vs Steelers Sportsbook Odds

Nostalgia aside, this could have been a much bigger game for both teams had they not each suffered tough losses in Week 14. These two AFC rivals have quite a history between them based on their epic meetings in the 1970s, and it is a shame that this one will not be more meaningful in terms of the current playoff race.

Neither team has been eliminated from postseason contention yet, but both need to essentially win out and root for all the teams ahead of them to lose over the last three weeks of the regular season. That said, the Steelers have been bet up to -2.5 in early wagering action while the total has dropped slightly to 39.5. Two weeks ago, Pittsburgh lost its last home game 16-14 to the Baltimore Ravens as a 2-point favorite while Las Vegas fell 17-16 to the Los Angeles Rams as 6-point road chalk, hurting each team’s playoff hopes.

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Las Vegas Hits Jackpot With Miracle Finish Off Turnover

The Raiders could have easily lost for the fifth time this year after holding a double-digit lead, but the New England Patriots helped them avoid that scenario on an extremely unlikely play. In arguably the craziest finish in an NFL game this season, New England was intercepted on a lateral play that did not need to happen when Las Vegas linebacker Chandler Jones picked off a pass intended for opposing quarterback Mac Jones and returned it 48 yards for the game-winning touchdown as time expired in regulation.

The play developed with three seconds remaining and the game tied at 24-24 on an initial 23-yard run by Vegas native Rhamondre Stevenson, who could have simply gone down to get to overtime. Instead, Stevenson lateralled the ball to wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, and he then attempted to pass it to Jones. Thirty-two seconds earlier, the Raiders had pulled even with the Patriots on a 30-yard touchdown pass after blowing a 17-3 halftime lead.  

Trubisky Leads Steelers to First Regulation Win as Starter

Pittsburgh’s season started with four losses in five games (1-3-1 ATS), three of which came with embattled veteran quarterback Mitch Trubisky under center. Then rookie signal-caller Kenny Pickett took over, and the Steelers showed more life offensively. Pickett led them to wins in four of eight starts before a concussion knocked him out of the loss to the Ravens, giving Trubisky the chance to play again.

Even though some of his teammates like wide receiver Diontae Johnson thought Mason Rudolph deserved a chance to start, Trubisky got the nod last week and completed 17 of 22 passes for 179 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions in a 24-16 win over the Carolina Panthers as 2.5-point road underdogs.

Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin said at his media briefing Tuesday that he expected Pickett to be able to start this weekend against the Raiders.

Raiders: Keys To Victory

It is hard to figure out this Las Vegas squad, but the biggest key to victory is quarterback Derek Carr, who is reportedly playing for his future over the last three games. Carr was shaky again at times last week and likely cannot afford to perform the same way on the road if he wants to be a Raider beyond 2022. In last year’s meeting, Carr was great, throwing for 382 yards and two touchdowns. If he does that again, they can win again.

Steelers: Keys To Victory

Las Vegas is capable of putting points up on the scoreboard, so if Pickett plays, he’ll have to generate some offense and not simply rely on the running game and defense. Pickett has thrown for four touchdowns against eight interceptions this season but he is 3-1 in his last four starts without throwing a pick.

NFL Computer Pick: Raiders +2.5

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