Steelers vs. Raiders: Spread Info, Line and Predictions

The Pittsburgh Steelers righted the ship last week against the New York Jets after getting embarrassed by Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos to start the season.

The Oakland Raiders have been getting embarrassed all season long, and injuries to the secondary don't help their cause.

It's sure to be a raucous environment inside "The Black Hole" on Sunday. 

But will it be reduced to a hush when all is said and done?

Read on for a preview of the action.

Where: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CA

When: Sunday, Sept. 23 at 4:25 p.m. ET 

Watch: CBS

Listen: Steelers Radio Network, Raiders Radio Network

Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket, NFL Audio Pass

Spread: -4.5 Steelers (via Bovada)

I don't know what's going on with the betting lines this week (i.e., Lions vs. Titans), but unless the Raiders' secondary pulls off a miracle, Darren McFadden comes back from the dead and Carson Palmer stops throwing interceptions, I don't see how the Steelers win by less than five points.

This has the makings of a blowout as the Raiders are looking like the worst team in the NFL right now. The Steelers are riding high after a dismantling of the Jets last week.

Over/Under: 45 (via Bovada)

My prediction (see below) has the the two teams combining for just under 45 points, but that's mainly because of Oakland's inept offense right now. 

I don't think Pittsburgh's passing game will have much trouble with the Raiders after the display against the Jets last week.

I would go "Under" in this instance. Go "Over" if you have a minute amount of confidence in Oakland's offense.

Injury Report (via USA Today)

Steelers

WR Mike Wallace: Groin, Probable

OT Mike Adams: Back, Questionable

RB Jonathan Dwyer: Toe, Questionable

OT Marcus Gilbert: Groin, Questionable

TE Heath Miller: Abdominal, Questionable

WR Emmanuel Sanders: Knee, Questionable

LB Stevenson Sylvester: Knee, Questionable

S Troy Polamalu: Calf, OUT

G David DeCastro: Knee, OUT until early December

LB James Harrison: Knee, OUT

RB Rashard Mendenhall: Knee, OUT

LB Sean Spence: Knee, IR

TE David Johnson: Knee, IR

Raiders

TE David Ausberry: Shoulder, Questionable

DB Coye Francies: Concussion, Questionable

LB Rolando McClain: Concussion, Questionable

C Alex Parsons: Shoulder, Questionable

WR Juron Criner: Ankle, Questionable

OT Khalif Barnes: Groin, OUT indefinitely

CB Ronald Bartell: Shoulder, IR

WR Jacoby Ford: Foot, IR

OT Zach Hurd: Head, IR

Fantasy Big Plays

Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger, QB

The Raiders' secondary is in utter shambles right now. 

Not only have the Raiders lost Nnamdi Asomugha and Stanford Routt since 2010, their top two cornerbacks this season—Ronald Bartell and Shawntae Spencer—are out indefinitely due to injury.

On top of that, Roethlisberger went 24-of-31 for 275 yards and two touchdowns last week against the New York Jets, utilizing both Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace along the way.

Raiders: Carson Palmer, QB

Carson Palmer may throw a lot of interceptions, but he generally makes up for it with his passing yards and touchdowns each week (at least for fantasy owners). He's the classic example of a player who can make fantasy owners relatively happy and his own team miserable.

Last week, Palmer went 24-of-48 with an interception, but he also threw for 373 yards and a touchdown.

The Steelers' defense is older and battling injuries. Peyton Manning threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns against them in Week 1. 

Palmer should be able to put up some nice numbers, especially if the Steelers jump out to an early lead and he's forced to air it out.

Key to Steelers Victory: Protect Ben Roethlisberger

Ben Roethlisberger has been getting battered around behind a patchwork offensive line suffering from injuries (like pretty much every season in Pittsburgh).

The 30-year-old has already sustained eight sacks and 12 hits in two games. Offensive tackle Willie Colon has played well, but the rest of the line is trouble, especially with the injury to rookie guard David DeCastro.

The good news for Pittsburgh is that Oakland only has two sacks as a team so far.

Key to Raiders Victory: Get Running Game Going

The Raiders have a man named Darren McFadden who figured to at least make them competitive this season, but he hasn't looked like the same player lately (26 rushes, 54 yards) and the offensive line (particularly left guard Cooper Carlisle, center Stefen Wisniewski, and right guard Mike Brisiel) has been deplorable.

It would behoove the Raiders to win time of possession in this game. The only problem is that's hard to do when your running game is in a rut.

Prediction: Steelers 27, Raiders 13

The Raiders don't have the defense to stop Ben Roethlisberger and Co. and the offense is leaving a lot to be desired right now.

The Raiders have allowed 28.5 points per game so far, while scoring 13.5 points per game, including mustering a measly 13 points against the Miami Dolphins last week.

It's hard for me to see this being much of a game, even at "The Black Hole."