The Pittsburgh Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders clash in a crucial AFC matchup on October 13, 2024, at Allegiant Stadium. The Steelers enter this game with a 3-2 record, looking to bounce back from a narrow 20-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Led by quarterback Justin Fields, the Steelers’ offense has shown improvement this season, averaging 18.4 points per game. Fields has been efficient, with 961 passing yards, 5 touchdowns, and only 1 interception so far. The team’s success has been largely due to their ground game, with Najee Harris leading the way with 270 rushing yards. On the other side, the Raiders have struggled to find consistency. Sitting at 2-3, Las Vegas is coming off a 34-18 loss to the Denver Broncos, where their defense was picked apart. Quarterback Gardner Minshew has been underwhelming, throwing for 1,014 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions.

The Raiders’ offensive line has struggled to protect Minshew, and their run game has been nearly non-existent, averaging just 84 rushing yards per game. This lack of balance has made it difficult for the Raiders to sustain drives and control the clock. Defensively, the Steelers have been stout, allowing just 14.6 points per game, which ranks second in the league. They’ve been particularly effective against the run, giving up just 91.2 rushing yards per game. The key matchup will be Pittsburgh’s aggressive front seven against the Raiders’ weak offensive line. If the Steelers can pressure Minshew and force him into mistakes, they should be able to control the game. Conversely, the Raiders will need their playmakers like Brock Bowers, who leads the team with 313 receiving yards, to step up if they want to move the ball effectively.