Derek Carr and the Oakland Raiders offense got off to a hot start and Carr found tight end Jared Cook for two big gains to place the Raiders comfortably in the red zone. Running back Doug Martin finished off the drive with a one-yard run to put the Raiders up early, 7 - 0.
Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense finally were able to get things going once the second quarter started. Big Ben hit Antonio Brown for a nice gain to get the offense in the red zone for the first time. Stevan Ridley came in to even the score for the Steelers. Pittsburgh ties it up at 7.
The Raiders dialed up multiple plays for Jared Cook to continue to take advantage of Pittsburgh's secondary. Fortunately, cornerback Mike Hilton was able to shut Carr down on third down and force the Raiders into a field goal situation. Raiders lead 10 - 7.
Big Ben was leading the offense down the field, but unfortunately the Raiders pass rush got to Roethlisberger and Chris Boswell missed from 39 yards out. A seemingly successful drive took a rough turn for Pittsburgh.
The Steelers made it back down field quickly and made the most of their missed opportunity. Big Ben hit JuJu Smith-Schuster for a wide open touchdown to put the Steelers up 14 - 7.
The Steelers had to start off the second half with Big Ben on the sidelines after he had suffered a big hit to the rib area and was listed as questionable to return.
After an unsuccessful offensive drive led by Josh Dobbs, the defense picked up the slack as Bud Dupree came in for a huge sack on Carr.
The offense struggled mightily without Big Ben as Dobbs simply was not moving the ball with similar efficiency. The Steelers went for a conversion on fourth and short, but the Raiders were able to make the stop and force a turnover on downs.
The Raiders made it easy for the Steelers after the missed opportunity on fourth and short. Derek Carr coughed the ball up on a pass attempt and Mike Hilton came in for the fumble recovery well within Oakland's red zone.
Dobbs next opportunity on offense did not end very well either when he forced a ball to Antonio Brown. The Raiders defense came away with the bobbled interception to give Oakland another chance at taking the lead.
Raiders offense was finally able to get the ball moving consistently down the field. Oakland converted on a fourth down play and Carr moved the ball around the field at will to various receivers.
Deep breath for Steelers fans worldwide. Roethlisberger came in the game for the Steelers with a little over five minutes left in the game. Big Ben made an instant impact for the Steelers offense and Jaylen Samuels looked like a completely revamped running back. The drive was finished off with a JuJu touchdown, making it his second of the game.
Oakland was not phased by the Steelers quick touchdown as they marched down the field just as easily with a huge Seth Roberts completion. This completion set up an easy Raiders touchdown to tight end Derek Carrier.
After a great pitch to JuJu from James Washington, JuJu took the ball for 43 yards but unfortunately Boswell slipped on the field goal attempt that would have forced the game to overtime.
Pittsburgh Stats Leaders
Ben Roethlisberger 282 Yards 2 Touchdowns
Jaylen Samuels 11 Carries 28 Yards
JuJu Smith-Schuster 8 Receptions 130 Yards 2 Touchdowns
Mike Hilton 8 Tackles 1 Sack 1 Fumble Recovery 2 Tackles for a Loss
