The Pittsburgh Steelers and then-Oakland Raiders rivalry is a cornerstone of the Super Bowl era. In the 1970’s, they met in the playoffs for five consecutive seasons. The Steelers and Raiders playoff game winner won the Super Bowl for three consecutive seasons in the mid '70's. The two teams ultimately split their playoff meetings 3-3 and have not met in the postseason since a 38-10 drubbing in 1983 during the Raiders last championship season.
Pittsburgh Steelers center, Mike Webster pass blocks in the Steelers 13-7 win over the Los Angeles Raiders at the Los Angeles Coliseum on December 16, 1984. (NFL/AP 2009)
The teams have only met in the regular season since and aside from a season-ending shocking victory by the Steelers in 1984 to catapult them into the playoffs, the matchups have been largely inconsequential compared to the genesis of the rivalry. Many modern NFL fans only know the heat attached to this rivalry because of the great John Facenda and NFL Films. If you grew up in the 1970’s this game will always mean something special, but it has been 40 years since they met in the postseason.
Ben Roethlisberger joined the Steelers in 2004 and during his tenure as the starting quarterback, the Steelers played the silver and black nine times. The black and gold were 3-6 versus the Raiders during the future Hall of Famer's career and five of those losses were in one score games that Roethlisberger usually dominated. Pittsburgh was inexplicably snake bit in those games, no matter how poorly the Raiders were playing, they got up for the Steelers.
Field judge Jimmy Cole (86) and Oakland and Steelers players rush in to break up a squabble between and Raiders John Vella (75) and the Steelers Jack Lambert (58) following the first Oakland touchdown in Sunday?s AFC championship game in Oakland on Dec.26, 1976. (AP Photo)
The Raiders lead the overall series 16-10 and now the teams do meet regularly under the rotating schedule of the NFL. But with just 32 meetings including the playoffs, the rarity of the clashes and the history of the early games, make them something special. Roethlisberger has retired and on Christmas Eve, Kenny Pickett gets his first crack at the now Las Vegas Raiders. The rookie has played solid football since the bye week despite missing last week’s game in the NFL concussion protocol.
The two teams are on the outside looking in on the current AFC playoff picture, but while it is a slim chance, the Christmas Eve game will deliver coal to one of these two teams and eliminate them officially from the playoff race. Both teams are 6-8 and need more than just a Christmas miracle to make the postseason, but they are both mathematically alive making this the first time since 1984 they have met with a potential playoff berth on the line.
The Steelers and the NFL were set to celebrate the Immaculate Reception and the Steelers were going to retire Franco Harris’ number at halftime on Saturday night. Unfortunately, Harris passed away on Wednesday morning and it has cast a pall over the planned festivities. The weather is also not cooperating as some of the planned festivities have already been cancelled because of inclement conditions. Even nature doesn’t feel like celebrating with the passing of the iconic running back.
The Raiders and Steelers are only one year removed from both being in the AFC playoffs. They are both teams in transition with the Steelers breaking in a rookie quarterback and desperate to take advantage of a rapidly aging defense. The Raiders tinkered with their chemistry and now are losing close games they won last season, but they are coming off a miracle win against the New England Patriots.
Instagram: @kennypickett8
The NFL is the most watched sport in the world because no matter how sad we are, no matter how cold we are, the show is going to go on Saturday night. Pickett and the Steelers will have their chance to author a new chapter in the storied rivalry.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Are you excited about seeing Pickett for the first time against the silver and black? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
