Steelers vs. Raiders: Top 5 bold predictions for Week 2

The Steelers are set to face the upstart Raiders in the second week of the regular season, and here are five bold predictions for the matchup.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders‘ Week 2 game is shaping up to be one of the better ones on the docket this weekend.

Both teams pulled an upset in Week 1, Pittsburgh upending the Buffalo Bills on the road and the Raiders knocking off the Baltimore Ravens in a Monday Night Football overtime thriller, and now both hope to continue their hot starts for the year by winning this matchup.

The game figures to be competitive, as the Raiders’ effective offense faces one of the stoutest defenses in the league this week.

Here are some bold predictions for the Pittsburgh versus Las Vegas in Week 2.

Steelers’ Joe Haden gets burned deep

If I were the Raiders, the one matchup I would try and get is Henry Ruggs on Joe Haden.

While Ruggs had a relatively quiet start to the season, the second-year wideout is known for his immense straight-line speed. Any corner would have trouble covering him, but their best matchup is to put him on Haden.

While Haden looked great in Week 1, he was very much in his element, covering receivers on the short and intermediate routes. There, his intelligence of the game and talent in coverage can still shine. At his age, though, his speed and athletic traits are waning. Last season, typical deep threats, such as Darius Slayton, were thorns in Haden’s side. He doesn’t have the speed anymore to keep up.

Thus, if/when the Steelers have Haden covering Ruggs, expect a potential mismatch to be exploited. At least one long pass connects, as Haden finds himself trailing one of the fastest receivers in the game.

While his coverage elsewhere is fine, the pure speed of Ruggs leads to Haden giving up a huge play.