Three Raiders X-Factors Vs. the Steelers

The Las Vegas Raiders will have their first game of the season at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3.

The Raiders are looking to bounce back from a bad loss against the Buffalo Bills, where nothing went right for the Silver and Black. The Steelers won a dominant defensive performance against the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football.

This is a bounce-back opportunity for the Raiders, hosting their home fans for the first time this season and taking on a Steelers team that has struggled to move the ball this season.

The Steelers are still a talented team, however, and there are a few Raiders players who will be crucial in slowing down the Steelers’ game plan.

Let’s take a look at three X-factors for the Raiders against the Steelers.

Running Back Zamir White -- All-Pro running back Josh Jacobs has not gotten it going yet for the Raiders’ rushing attack, so Zamir White will have to carry his weight.

White has not seen the field much, rushing only five times for 24 yards and catching one pass for five yards this season. The Steelers will be looking to stop Jacobs on the ground this game, so White might have the chance to finally break out.

If both White and Jacobs can get it going against the Steelers, it just might be the spark the running game needs.

Left Tackle Kolton Miller -- Miller will face another tough defense, as he is set to be matched up with T.J. Watt, and he could see Alex Highsmith as well.

Watt is one of the best defensive players in the NFL, while Highsmith is becoming an excellent player opposite of him. No matter who Miller sees, it will be a challenge.

So far this season, Miller has been excellent. He has allowed only one pressure this season, and has not allowed a quarterback hit or a sack through two games, according to Pro Football Focus. The biggest test of his season so far will be this Sunday.

Safety Marcus Epps -- Epps’ experience has proven valuable to the Raiders so far this season.

It will need to be present again on Sunday against a Steelers’ offense with so much youth. Quarterback Kenny Pickett is prone to making mistakes through the air, so Epps will have to capitalize on them.

Flying downhill to tackle running back Najee Harris and helping Raiders’ corners against wide receiver George Pickens are some of the ways Epps can impact the game and get the Raiders’ defense off the field.

The Silver and Black return home to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Sept. 24, at 8:20 p.m. EDT/5:20 p.m. PDT.

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