The Pittsburgh Steelers’ season is hanging in the balance as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception, and a returning Kenny Pickett will try to lead the Steelers to their seventh win of the season over the Las Vegas Raiders.
STEELERS GAMEDAY INFO
Week 16, Pittsburgh Steelers (6-8) vs Las Vegas Raiders (6-8)
Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, 8:15 p.m.
Acrisure Stadium (68,400, Natural Grass)
Broadcast
TV: NFL Network (Rich Eisen, Kurt Warner, Steve Mariucci, Michael Irvin) (Game Information) | KDKA-TV (local)
Radio: Steelers Radio Network, 102.5 WDVE-FM (Bill Hillgrove, Craig Wolfley, Missi Mathews, Max Starks)
SN Coverage: Alan Saunders, Nick Farabaugh
Forecast: Cloudy, the potential for Snow Flurries, 7 degrees, wind SW 17 mph.
Line: Steelers -1.5, -125, over/under 38.5 DraftKings Promo
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AT STAKE
The Steelers have an extremely minimal chance of making the 2022 NFL playoffs, but they must have to win out in order to keep those slim playoff hopes alive. Even with a win over the Raiders, the Steelers are not guaranteed to survive the week still in contention, but if they lose, they are automatically eliminated from the playoffs. So, Pittsburgh has to win, and the death of Franco Harris adds even more weight to the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception.
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The Raiders are in a similar boat, coming off an unbelievable win when Chandler Jones picked off Jakobi Myers of the Patriots to win with time expiring. They must win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive in the AFC West. With the 49ers and Chiefs coming up next, this is the easiest game remaining for Las Vegas.
With a win, the Steelers would continue to save Mike Tomlin’s consecutive losing seasons mark, which is now up to 15 seasons. It would be the first win for the Steelers over the Raiders since 2015 when they won 38-35 in Pittsburgh.
INJURY REPORT
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett (concussion) will play after missing last week’s action against the Panthers. ILB Myles Jack (groin) was listed as questionable after missing last week. Diontae Johnson (turf toe) and Terell Edmunds (hamstring) are both questionable as well. For Johnson, he practiced on Friday and expects to play.
CB William Jackson III (back) is eligible to be activated from the injured reserve list but has not begun his 21-day practice window. CB Ahkello Witherspoon (hamstring) must miss at least next week against Baltimore. Chris Wormley (torn ACK) is out for the season.
FROM THE OTHER SIDE
After a rocky start for the Raiders, they have figured out an identity on offense behind the star power of Josh Jacobs. However, they will have to get used to the cold, but Davante Adams has some experience in it from his time with the Green Bay Packers.
“It doesn’t affect me,” Adams said of the cold. “I played almost 10 years in Green Bay, so I’m ready to rock.”
The Raiders are 4-1 in their last five games coming into the matchup with the Steelers.
AFC PLAYOFF PICTURE
No. 1 Buffalo Bills 11-3 (Clinched)
No. 2 Kansas City Chiefs 11-3 (Clinched)
No. 3 Cincinnati Bengals 10-4 (Clinched)
No. 4 Tennessee Titans 7-7
No. 5 Baltimore Ravens 9-5
No. 6 Los Angeles Chargers 8-6
No. 7 Miami Dolphins 8-6
In the hunt:
New England Patriots 7-8
Jacksonville Jaguars 7-8
New York Jets 7-8
Las Vegas Raiders 6-8
Cleveland Browns 6-8
Pittsburgh Steelers 6-8
Indianapolis Colts 4-9-1
Eliminated:
Houston Texans 1-11-1
Denver Broncos 4-10
Indianapolis Colts 4-9-1