Pros
- The Steelers are a 3-point underdog in this week’s game, likely creating a passing game script.
- THE BLITZ projects the Pittsburgh Steelers as the 3rd-most pass-centric team on the slate this week with a 63.2% pass rate, given their underlying tendencies and matchup dynamics.
- The Pittsburgh Steelers have called the 6th-most plays in football since the start of last season, averaging a whopping 60.5 plays per game.
- This game will be played in a dome—which means no wind, higher pass volume, higher TD potential, and better passing effectiveness.
- Opposing QBs have averaged 35.0 pass attempts per game versus the Las Vegas Raiders defense since the start of last season: 9th-most in the NFL.
Cons
- THE BLITZ projects the Steelers to call the 9th-least offensive plays on the slate this week with 62.4 plays, based on their underlying tendencies and game dynamics.
- George Pickens’s ball-catching skills have declined this season, with his Completion% falling off from 62.5% to 55.7%.
- George Pickens’s pass-game efficiency has worsened this year, compiling a measly 8.03 yards-per-target vs a 9.73 figure last year.
- George Pickens has been among the weakest wide receivers in the NFL at picking up extra yardage, averaging a mere 0.00 yards-after-the-catch (YAC) since the start of last season while checking in at the 1st percentile.
- The Las Vegas Raiders linebackers project as the best unit in the NFL since the start of last season in pass coverage.
Projection
THE BLITZ
76
Receiving Yards