Raiders Crash Into Steel Curtain
So the trip to Pittsburgh was not as prosperous for the Oakland Raiders and Raider Nation as they would have liked for it to be, as they get hammered by the Steelers 35-3.
So you knew the game was over when a) quarterback Bruce Gradkowski enters the game and throws an interception at the end of the 3rd quarter, b) Steelers’ wide receiver Mike Wallace scores on a 52-yard touchdown pass to begin the 4th quarter, c) CBS switches the game to a more competitive contest, or d) all the above. If you saw the game you know the obvious answer.
You knew that the Steelers would play with an edge after an embarrassing home loss to the New England Patriots last week (39-26). You also figured the Raiders, after a bye wouldn’t travel across the country to lay an egg, especially now that they have something to play for. After breaking a losing streak to the San Diego Chargers, and a losing streak at home against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Raiders could not break the trend of losing seven (now eight) straight games after the bye week.
Sunday afternoon started off solid for the Raiders. They jumped out to a 3-0 lead to begin the game, and then it went all down hill from there. Playing the Steel Curtain at the “Big Ketchup Bottle” , you knew it was going to be a slug fest, especially with Steelers having the #1 ranked run defense, and the Raiders having the #2 ranked rushing offense. Sunday’s display by the Steelers’ defense was a microcosm of why defense wins championships.
Running back Darren McFadden was kept in a stray jacket totaling only 14 rushing yards, when he averages 108 rushing yards per game (tops in the NFL). Quarterback Jason Campbell threw for only 70 yards and was benched late in the 3rd quarter. Bruce Gradkowski’s insertion into the game was almost the right spark plug the offense needed until he threw an interception right before the 3rd quarter came to a close. In only one quarter of action, Gradkowski threw for 98 yards. Regardless of offensive coordinator Hue Jackson’s play calling, and old flaw with the Raiders offense reared its ugly head, as the offensive line was dominated from start to finish. Not a good look for an offense that averaged 38 points in their three-game winning streak. They definitely have to regroup for next week’s game.
The defense actually held their own and kept the Raiders within striking distance up until the beginning of the 4th quarter. Playing without Nnamdi Asomugha, but getting back defensive tackle John Henderson, the Raiders defense had the right mentality and attitude to begin the game. Led by Richard Seymour, the intensity between the two teams reminded you of the old 1970’s rivalry games. Emotions escalated late in the 2nd quarter, when after throwing a touchdown pass, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger appeared to run up on Seymour, who turned around and slapped Big Ben to the ground. A big shoving match occurred, and the result was Seymour being ejected from the game.
The irony of the occurrence was that before the game, Big Ben believed Richard Seymour was his early candidate for “Defensive Player of the Year.” Now I wander if he wants to take that claim back. For the game, Roethlisberger threw for 275 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Raiders held running back Rashard Mendenhall in check as he rushed for 59 yards and a touchdown, but overall the Steelers rushed for 162 yards.
For Raider Nation, no more hangovers because the season is not over by far, as the division title is still in Oakland’s grasp. Now, with a legitimate shot to make the playoffs, the Raiders have to overcome two hurdles. First, they need to learn how to make in season adjustments, and learn how to bounce back from tough losses and still move in the right direction. Secondly, they must learn how to win on the road, because true playoff caliber teams know how to win in hostile environments, and these group of Raiders have a lot of room to grow in that department. For now, let’s see if the Silver and Black finally get the hang of beating teams they are suppose to take care of, as they face the Miami Dolphins next week.
By: Arthur Kai
