IT’S GAME DAY!!

That means while we all wait for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders to kickoff at 8:20pm EST in Week 3 on Sunday Night Football, it’s time to take a look at who the SCN staff likes in this game. The current line for the game is LVR (-2.5) with a Total of 43.

But these picks are vs. the spread, or based on an over/under. These are straight up picks. So, let’s get to the prognostications.

Jeff Hartman

The Steelers are coming off back-to-back poor outings, yet are 1-1. Some are already preparing their obituary, considering the season officially dead and over, but I don’t see it that way. I saw some signs of life in Week 2, and Week 3 very well could be a stepping stone game to get this team back to what we all expected heading into 2023. Will it be pretty? No, but it should be better than Weeks 1 and 2. I like the Steelers on the road to beat the Raiders, something which hasn’t happened since 1995.

Prediction: Steelers 20, Raiders 17

Dave Schofield

I still do not have confidence in the Steelers offense, but I do have confidence that they could make baby steps. Right now that would be better than nothing, but I think the offense can come up with 13 points in this game. So I’m predicting the Steelers get a touchdown in another way, perhaps this time on special teams. But for some reason, I think they can eek out another one in their first trip to Vegas.

Prediction: Steelers 20, Raiders 16

Jeremy Betz

The first road contest of the season for Pittsburgh happens to be their first contest ever in the longtime AFC rival Raiders’ “new” home of Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders’ defense might be the medicine the Steelers’ ailing offense needs after facing two elite defenses to start the year. If Kenny Pickett can settle down and hit the throws that are there, the “Fire Canada” chants should cool quickly. I expect another small step in the right direction for Kenny and Co. and the defense should continue to get after the opposing QB at an ungodly pace. If so, the Steelers will improve to 2-1.

Prediction: Steelers 24, Raiders 17

Anthony Defeo

Will the Steelers offense ever be good again in the decade of the 2020s? I will never believe it until I actually see it. With that being said, many black-and-gold faithful are expected to be on hand in Vegas to turn Allegiant Stadium into a home venue for the guys from Pittsburgh. That should be enough to win a close, low-scoring game similar to the one that took place between these two historic rivals late last season at Acrisure Stadium (minus the minus temps, of course).

Prediction: Steelers 16, Raiders 14

Bradley Locker

Both of these teams face a bit of an early season crossroads in terms of their 17-game-long trajectories, but I do think the Steelers are still better, and in a better position to win. Pittsburgh’s much-maligned offense should be able to move the ball better against a subpar Raiders defense, as long as Maxx Crosby can be contained. Also, I’d bet on Minkah Fitzpatrick, or some other member of the Steelers’ secondary, to intercept Jimmy Garoppolo. Pittsburgh gets its first win at the Raiders since 1995 in a somewhat sloppy affair.

Prediction: Steelers 27, Raiders 19

Big Bro Scho

The Steelers are still currently trying to find out what they are as a team. Fortunately for them they are facing a team that may be doing the same searching. The Raiders maybe ahead of the Steelers in terms of offense, but the Steelers are ahead in terms of defense. T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Minkah Fitzpatrick are the guys the Steelers will need to ball out. The defense come through again this week and the Steelers squeak out another close one.

Prediction: Steelers 23, Raiders 21

K.T. Smith

This is a great time for the Steelers to get away from home and find themselves. No local media hounding them about the offense, no home crowd chanting “Fire Canada!” It’s a perfect time to block out the distractions, bond as a team and win a football game against a beatable opponent. Just don’t mention the fact that every time they travel to the Pacific time zone they seem to play like garbage.

Prediction: Steelers 20, Raiders 17

What is your prediction? Let us know in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the upcoming Week 3 game between the Steelers and Raiders.