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Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Oakland Raiders Betting Picks & Week 8 Preview

Pittsburgh vs Oakland NFL Football Spread/Handicapping

Things are starting to turn around for the Pittsburgh Steelers who after starting the 2013 campaign with four straight losses, have won two consecutive games.

When: Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013 at 4:05 p.m. EST
Where:  O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California
TV: CBS
LINE: -1 1/2  (Steelers), O/U 40

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They will look to keep their streak alive when they arrive in Oakland to face a struggling Raiders team on Sunday.

The Steelers (2-4) offense isn’t doing a whole lot, scoring 19 points in both their victories, but the defense has allowed one touchdown in eight quarters since the team returned from London.

Overall Pittsburgh’s offense is averaging just 17 points and 329 yards per game and rank an anemic 27th in the NFL in rushing at 74 yards per game.

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Nevertheless, the Steelers were able to snatch a close 19-16 win in their most recent outing at home against the Baltimore Ravens.

The offensive charge was led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who completed 17-of-23 pass attempts for 160 yards and one TD for the Steelers in the win. Year after year Big Ben has been the driving force behind the Steelers offensive machine, but this year has been different.

This season Roethlisberger has completed just 66 percent of his passes with seven touchdowns and five interceptions.

However, to his defense, he’s been sacked 21 times.

Defensively,  the Steelers have been good, allowing just 22 points and just over 300 yards per game with two interceptions, eight sacks and three fumble recoveries.

The team needs to limit the offensive turnovers if they are going to have success, as they just don’t have the defensive turnover numbers to offset their own errors. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

Meanwhile, the Raiders (2-4) suffered a Week 6 loss against Kansas City in their last game, falling 24-7 at Arrowhead Stadium.

It was Oakland’s third loss in its last four games.

The Raiders’ offense has struggled scoring, ranking 29th with 17 points and gaining 320 yards per game, including an NFL worst 129 yards passing per game.

Quarterback Terrelle Pryor threw for 216 yards for the Raiders, while rushing for 60 yards, but it wasn’t enough as the Oakland defense just couldn’t  keep Jamaal Charles out of the end zone.

In the meantime, the Raiders running game has struggled as RB Darren McFadden cannot seem to stay healthy, averaging four yards per carry and scoring two rushing touchdowns on the season.

The little success that the Raiders are experiencing this season, stems mainly from the defense, which is allowing just 22 points per game. As a unit they have three interceptions 12 sacks and seven fumble recoveries.

Matt’s Free Prediction

Both of these teams are strong defensively and the offenses aren’t all that strong so the under seems to be a safe play here with the Steelers sneaking out of Oakland with a win.

Steelers 21, Raiders 17

By Matt Martz

Matt has returned to CappersPicks.com. The pull was too great. He missed providing his free picks and insider sports gambling analysis to his loyal readers. Please take it easy on him till he gets back into his groove. Cheers!