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Maybe Roethlisberger should sit for a while after his performance against the awful Oakland Raiders…..who defeated the Steelers 20-13!  Maybe Ben is now color-blind after all the head shots he’s taken since he thought he was Evel Kienevel!  Roethlisberger completed 25 of 37 passes for 301 yards with 1 TD and 4 INTERCEPTIONS!  Two of his pick-offs were returned for TDs by the Raiders defense!  Willie Parker carried the ball 22 times for 83 yards (3.8 ypc) and caught 2 passes for 28 yards and a TD.  Hines Ward caught 8 passes for 81 yards and has looked great the last couple of weeks.  Cedric Wilson pitched in 5 receptions for 53 yards.  Nate Washington caught a 49 yard Hail Mary at the end of the game, but was tackled at the 3 yard line!

The defense played a fantastic game that was wasted by Roethlisberger’s pathetic play!  LB Clark Haggans had 5 tackles and 2 sacks.  Joey Porter returned and had 2 sacks and an interception.  The Raiders carried the ball 29 times for 81 yards (2.8 ypc).  The Steelers only allowed the Raiders to complete 5 of 14 passes for 17 net yards passing.

How can one player lose a game by himself.  Watch this game film and you’ll find out.

The Steelers offense is finally showing signs of life and is now averaging 24.0 points per game.  The rushing game hasn’t been up to par for the Steelers, as they are averaging 114.0 yards rushing per game, but only 3.9 yards per carry.  The passing game is really starting to click, as the Steelers are averaging 228.5 net yards passing and are completing 61.0% of their passes.

The defense hasn’t played up to their usual standards allowing 20.8 points per game.  The Steelers still stop the run pretty well as teams are averaging only 94.2 yards rushing and 3.5 yards per carry against them.  The Steelers pass defense has been awful this season, allowing 212.3 net yards passing and 59.1% completions.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are free-falling in the standings as they have lost four of their last five games and have looked bad doing it.  The Oakland Raiders are feeling full of confidence after winning their first game last week 22-9 against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Steelers offense has finally awoke after sleep-walking for the first 4 weeks of the season.  The Steelers have rolled up 83 points the last two weeks.  Look for the Steelers to run the ball alot this week against a Raider defense that is allowing 132.5 yards rushing per game.  Willie Parker needs to have a good game, as he hasn’t looked like the same running back he was last season.  Ben Roethlisberger has returned to practice and probably will give it a go this week.  Roethlisberger has looked real good the last two weeks after sucking before that.  Charlie Batch has been outstanding at QB, and the Steelers probably wouldn’t miss Roethlisberger too much if Batch had to play.  WR Hines Ward finally decided to do something this season and had a good game against the Falcons.  The Raiders pass defense has been pretty good this season only allowing 140.5 yards passing per game.

The Raiders would prefer to run the football with LaMont Jordan (314 rushing yards) and/or Justin Fargas (230 rushing yards).  Jordan has been bothered by a back problem, so Fargas will probably at least split time with him.  If the Raiders can protect Andrew Walter, the Raiders can have some success throwing against the Steelers vastly over-rated defensive backs.  Steelers safety Troy Polamalu is the only above-average player in the Steeler secondary.  Randy Moss (24 rec, 351 yards) and Ronald Curry could have success down the field in Walter has time.  The Raiders also could take a page out of the Falcons playbook at throw frequently to huge TE Courtney Anderson (11 rec, 162 yards).

The Steelers should win this game easy, but, they have to play a complete football game.  The Raiders will be sky-high at home, and coming off of a victory.

Roethlisberger suffered a mild concussion in the game against the Falcons on Sunday.  He could play against the Raiders, but why rush him back against the Raiders if he’s not 100%?  Charlie Batch has been playing well this season, and the Steelers could pobably win with him and give Roethlisberger another week to heal.  More will be determined on his status in the next day or two.