Steelers vs. Raiders

Click the ad on the right to unlock game feed!

The Pittsburgh Steelers will be the favorite when they roll into the Black Hole to take on the Oakland Raiders. However, their favorite status should fool no one. This will be a big road test for the Steelers and a game that they must win if they want to establish some early season momentum.

A win for the Black and Yellow would give them two wins in a row and a 2-1 record in this young season as the Steelers took care of business at home last week in a 27-10 victory against the New York Jets.

The Raiders are coming off a 35-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins on the road and will be looking to break into the win column for the first time this season in Oakland after a disappointing 0-2 start.

After struggling out West in the season opener against the Denver Broncos, BenRoethlisberger and Co. face a tough task ahead but should be able to pull out the victory. Here are the keys to the game for a Pittsburgh victory.

Figure Out the Running Game

The days of the Steelers being an old-fashioned, physical team that loves to run the ball are over. With offensive coordinator Todd Haley at the helm, the Steelers are now more high-flying and pass-heavy than ever before, but the run game can't be ignored.

The Steelers currently rank 30th in the league in rushing with 70.5 yards per game.

The lack of rushing has been due in part because the offensive line has struggled to make holes but also because the team has missed last season's starting running back, Rashard Mendenhall.

Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman have both had opportunities to claim the job, but neither have looked great as Dwyer has averaged a mere 3.4 yards per carry while Redman has posted a 2.0 average.

Unfortunately for the Steelers, they will be without Mendenhall once again, according to Chris Adamski of CBSSports.com. The team has decided he will sit out again this week while he recovers from an ACL tear sustained last season.

At this point the team would love to get Mendenhall back but this week they must move on without him and they'll need Dwyer or Redman to step up their game in this one.