Steelers-Raiders Post-Mortem: Losing Streak Hits Three

PITTSBURGH, PA - The Steelers’ losing streak now stands at three games after the stinker in Oakland Sunday, and with just three games to go in the season their once near-certain playoff chances are looking iffy.

The Steelers have a trio of games to opponents with inferior records, but play two of the next three against foes with superior ones. Lose those two and the Steelers could be on the outside looking in come playoff time.

But there’s plenty of time to worry about that. For now, here’s what football writers around the country are saying about the egg laid by the Steelers in Oakland Sunday:

• Scott Bair, NBC Sports: “Chris Boswell thought the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum field conditions were subpar. He wasn’t the only Pittsburgh Steeler with that opinion, but count the veteran kicker as part of the crew refusing to use it as an excuse for the Raiders' 24-21 win Sunday afternoon. He would be allowed, considering he slipped while attempting a game-tying field goal as time expired. Boswell’s plant leg gave way under the grass, creating a low liner that the Raiders easily blocked.”

• Will Brinson, CBS Sports: “Now the Steelers are 7-5-1 with two very daunting games on the immediate docket: next Sunday at home against an angry Patriots team and Week 16 on the road against a Saints team fighting to land home-field advantage in the NFC. The Steelers likely won't be favored in either game.”

• Ben Weintraub, Yahoo Sports: “The Steelers have a tough draw the rest of the way with the New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints and Cincinnati Bengals. With a win, the Steelers would have had an outside shot at a first-round bye — since they could pull ahead of the Patriots if they found a way to win next week. Now, they will be more concerned with the Ravens breathing down their neck.”

• Jeremy Fowler, ESPN: “During the three-game losing streak, the Steelers defense has given up drives of 73, 75, 79, 79 and 64 yards in fourth quarters, including two for game-winners in the final minute.”

• Bryan Deardo, 24/7 Sports: “Sunday's game, quite easily, was Pittsburgh's worst loss of the 2018 season to date. Facing a 2-10 Raiders' team that had only pride to play for, the Steelers lost their fourth consecutive game in Oakland after allowing two fourth quarter touchdowns. They also lost a golden opportunity to stretch their lead over Baltimore in the AFC North to 1.5 games. They also gave away an opportunity to get to within a half game of the Patriots in the race for the AFC's No. 2 seed.”

• Herbie Teope, NFL.com: the Steelers (7-5-1) will regret this loss when realizing the blown opportunity on two fronts. The New England Patriots (9-4) and Houston Texans (9-4) lost in the early games, giving the Steelers the chance to close ground in the race for higher playoff seeding. A win also would've given the Steelers the chance to pick up a game on the Baltimore Ravens (7-6) in the AFC North because the Ravens also lost.”

Photo via Getty Images.

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