Oakland Let’s Big Ben Get Away

NFL: Oct 25 Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
NFL: Oakland Raiders During pregame Amari Cooper (89) & Michael Crabtree (15). (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
NFL: Oakland Raiders During pregame Amari Cooper (89) & Michael Crabtree (15). (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)

Pittsburgh, Pa – Big Ben Roethlisberger wins the war but may lose the battle in 38-35 victory over the visiting Oakland Raiders. Before leaving the game midway in 4th quarter Roethlisberger had connected 24 passes for 334 yards and 2 touchdowns. These stats seem all to irrelevant when they came at cost of losing him to foot injury that may sideline Roethlisberger for rest of the season.

The Raiders had seemed to gelling the last few weeks with wins over Chargers, Jets before traveling to the mid-west to Heinz field. Derek Carr had sliced up the Steelers defense for 301 yards of his own finding big play targets  Michael Crabtree & Amari Cooper for 3 of his 4 touchdown passes. In first quarter on 1st 10 from 22 yard line Carr struck first with a nice pass to Crabtree who went up high to snatch a 7-0 lead. All day the Raiders were able to answer back when the Steelers hit score board.

NFL: Oakland Raiders During pregame timeless Charles Woodson. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
NFL: Oakland Raiders During pregame timeless Charles Woodson. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)

The passing game was what worked for both offensives today. Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown didn’t care who throw him the ball his hands and feet were on fire. Brown caught a key 57 yard reception from backup Landry Jones on Pittsburgh’s final drive to set up Chris Boswell’s winning kick. Brown kept the Raiders secondary on their toes all day, 17 receptions with 284 yards.  It was one incredible single game performance. Oakland safety said “I really don’t know what to say but ‘Wow,'”, who spent most of the day futilely chasing Brown around Heinz Field.

These two teams will be fighting for a wildcard spot as we continue in this second half of the regular season. This game today may be worth even more down the stretch. The Raiders (4-4)  defense will get stronger and be ready to defend their home field in a match up next Sunday November 15th verse Minnesota Vikings (6-2). The Steelers (5-4) will host divisional rival Cleveland  Browns (2-7) before getting that bye week after that.