Silver Minings: Why beating the Raiders is a big deal for Pittsburgh Steelers

It may just be Week 2 of the NFL season, but the Pittsburgh Steelers and their fan base could be a little worried.

It’s never too early to think about the playoffs — especially in Pittsburgh — when it comes to playing the Raiders. History hasn’t been kind to the Steelers in the bountiful Ben Roethlisberger-era when it comes to facing the Silver and Black.

In the first 17 seasons of Roethlisberger’s Hall of Fame career, Pittsburgh has missed the playoffs in five of those seasons. The common factor? The Steelers lost to the Raiders in all five of them.

That’s pretty remarkable. If I were the Steelers, I would tread very lightly. Yet, there is some solace for Pittsburgh. They are facing the Raiders on Sunday (both Las Vegas and Pittsburgh are 1-0 after upset wins in Week 1) at home. The Steelers have beaten the Raiders four of the past five meetings in Pittsburgh.

Something has to give this weekend, right? I can’t wait.

In other Raiders’ links:

• Game review: The Athletic breaks down the Raiders’ win over Baltimore.
• Early start-time talk: The Raiders were 4-2 in 10 a.m. PT starts in 2020. That’s pretty good. Can it continue this week in Pittsburgh?
• Raiders facing fine? Pro Football Talk thinks they may for not disclosing Marcus Mariota’s quad injury during Monday night’s game.
• Nice work: According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, 287 people got a vaccine shot before the Raiders’ game Monday night.
• Shopping time: Get your Raiders’ Nike Zoom Pegasus 38 shoe here through fanatics.