Pittsburgh Steelers have to beat Raiders or face major slide

The Pittsburgh Steelers have to figure out their issues. Now.

After being forced to rally from a 16-0 deficit against the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars, the Pittsburgh Steelers fell to the Denver Broncos in a game they dominated for much of the afternoon. Then, last week, Pittsburgh found a way to blow a 23-7 halftime lead against the Los Angeles Chargers. The defeat was made all the more shocking because it happened at Heinz Field. In Pittsburgh’s long and storied history, the Steelers had never blown a 14-point advantage at home.

Now, Pittsburgh hits the road once more, going cross-country to take on the 2-10 Oakland Raiders. Oakland, which did show some fight against the Kansas City Chiefs last weekend, comes into the game with wins against only the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns. In other words, they haven’t exactly been giant killers to this juncture.

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As for the Steelers, it’s time to get moving. Pittsburgh is still in control of its own destiny in terms of winning the AFC North, but the margin has shrunk from a gigantic 2.5-game lead over the Baltimore Ravens to a mere half-game. This week is a chance to get things back a bit, with the Ravens on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs, but a bad Sunday here and everything could get sideways.

Pittsburgh plays a tough schedule down the stretch, including consecutive matchups with the New England Patriots at home before hitting the road to take on the New Orleans Saints. The Steelers have struggled for much of the Mike Tomlin era against New England — who hasn’t? — while the Saints might be the best team the NFL has to offer.

An unexpected loss to the Raiders would make the skid three straight for Pittsburgh with a real chance for it to become five in short order. Ultimately, the Steelers must find a way to win, even with James Conner sidelined from an ankle sprain.

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At 7-4-1, Pittsburgh is still the best bet to win the North and become a threat in the AFC playoffs. Nobody wants to see Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster descend on them come January, even a high-powered foe such as New England or Kansas City. The Steelers aren’t playing well, but momentum is a fickle mistress. Just ask the Carolina Panthers, who came into Pittsburgh a month ago riding high at 6-2. Now, the Panthers are 6-6 and all but playing out the string.

Come Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers should pick up their eighth win and get back on track before facing off the Patriots. Anything less, and the 2018 season could be coming apart at the seams for Mike Tomlin and Co.