NFL Week 3 Scouting Report: Steelers at Las Vegas Raiders
Steel City Underground will provide fans in Steelers Nation a pre-game scouting report of each of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ opponents during each week of the 2023 NFL regular season, comprised of items from top storylines and insights.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0) will be in the road in Week 3 of the 2023 NFL regular season to face a Las Vegas Raiders (1-0) team that has its own struggles. We look at the news and storylines coming out of Las Vegas ahead of the game on Sunday, September 24.
Injury watchlist
The Raiders have a laundry list of players who are on the injury report, similar to the Steelers, after just two weeks of play. The most notable player missing from the report for Las Vegas was Chandler Jones. Jones was placed on the “Non-Football Illness” list which rules him ineligible to play for at least four weeks.
Tyree Wilson missed practice with an illness. While Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers both practiced following going through concussion protocol. pic.twitter.com/wR6f0TxuPj
— Levi Damien (@LeviDamien) September 20, 2023
Jones’ story is an interesting one. The defensive end hasn’t played in a game, yet, this season and was reportedly placed on the list after he shared numerous cryptic and strange social media posts; Jones allegedly went after owner Mark Davis, general manager Dave Ziegler, and head coach Josh McDaniels in several posts.
Jones also alleged the Raiders organization had sent a crisis response team to his home and claimed a family friend’s daughter was being abused and the Raiders organization knew of it. McDaniels told ESPN that the Raiders organization deems Jones’ current situation as a “personal” and private matter he would not comment on.
“Chandler’s our brother, we love him… we’re focused on winning, focused on the Pittsburgh Steelers. We’re just focused on the day. That’s all we can do.” – Maxx Crosby
Garoppolo gets another shot at Steelers
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo hasn’t been getting the support many feel he needs to get the Raiders offense on track, but he’ll get another shot against the Pittsburgh Steelers as the starter. The only other time he has played against the Steelers was during the 2019 season while with the San Francisco 49ers; the ‘Niners won the game.
This season has gotten off to a rough start for “Jimmy G” as he’s been short on targets and has thrown three interceptions in two games.
“I thought we got off to a good start like we wanted to, but we didn’t sustain it. It starts with me. I made way too many mistakes — physical, mental, all of it. We couldn’t get into a rhythm,” Garoppolo said about Week 2’s loss to the Buffalo Bills.
With the way Pittsburgh’s defense has played over the course of two weeks, though, Garoppolo has a tough task in rallying an offense that has yet to click while the Raiders field a sub-par defense outside of Maxx Crosby.
The fact that there are already trade speculations surrounding the Raiders quarterback is not the type of signal Las Vegas wants broadcasted at this point, but what has already happened can’t be taken back.
.@Raiders one guy is being blocked 30 yards away from the play…the guy in the other side is full metal Jacket. Is anything being said??? Or am I the only person screening #RaiderNation #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/jKciRig7ZP
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 20, 2023
For the bulletin board
Last season, Josh Jacobs had 131 rushes against 2-deep defenses (post-snap).
So far this season, he has had 5
It's going to be hard to get defenses to respect the Raiders' ability to win deep with Jimmy Garoppolo. pic.twitter.com/KWAkSrwH6y
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) September 20, 2023
We need to face some harsh facts regarding the Raiders, Derek Carr, and Josh Jacobs. No. 8 is healthy, but the O-line's run blocking just hasn't been up to par. However, there's more to this than just "the O-line sucks or Jacobs sucks." No, rather, teams don't fear Josh… pic.twitter.com/09zFzfIbwP
— RaiderRamble.com™ (@TheRaiderRamble) September 21, 2023
When do we start having the difficult conversation regarding Raiders DC Patrick Graham?
Yes, it's only been two weeks, but it's been a highly underwhelming run so far. He's essentially Paul Guenther reincarnated. His scoring defenses have been near the NFL's basement: 25th,… pic.twitter.com/21b250JjnP
— RaiderRamble.com™ (@TheRaiderRamble) September 20, 2023
