3 reasons the Steelers will win in Week 3 vs. the Las Vegas Raiders

2. Kenny Pickett will have his best game of the season thus far

Knowing that the Steelers' second-year signal-caller has had a rough start to the 2023 season, the Raiders are going to try to force Kenny Pickett to beat them. And I believe he will step up to that challenge by having his best game of the season.

The Raiders have allowed opposing quarterbacks Russell Wilson (Denver) and Josh Allen (Buffalo) to complete 81.7 percent (58-of-71) of their passes and post a quarterback rating of 116.6 in two games played.

Las Vegas has also failed to get much push from its front seven defensively. Defensive End Maxx Crosby has just one sack and a team-high four pressures, while the Raiders have four total sacks and eight total pressures as a team.

Pickett has been pressured on 41.7 percent of his dropbacks and sacked seven times through two games. A key matchup to watch will be center Mason Cole battling Raiders DT Jerry Tillery. If Cole can prohibit pressure up the middle, Pickett will have a better chance to flourish, despite the presence of Crosby on the edge.

Pickett's favorite target, George Pickens, is coming off the first 100-yard receiving game of his career. He had a big game against the Raiders in the Steelers' 13-10 victory last season.

I believe that Pickett will also target tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington more often. The Raiders' linebacker group is headlined by former Steeler Robert Spillane, who has had trouble in the past trying to defend tight ends.