PREVIEW

PREVIEW
Steelers vs. Raiders
When: 1 p.m.
TV/radio: KDKA (2); WBBG-FM (106.1)
Opening line: Steelers by 4.
Record vs. spread (2003): Raiders 3-12, Steelers 7-9.
Series history: Raiders lead 18-11-1. Steelers beat Raiders 27-7 on Dec. 7, 2003, at Pittsburgh.
Last season: Raiders plummeted from Super Bowl in 2002 to tied for last in AFC West. Steelers finished third in AFC North.
Rankings (2003): Raiders offense -- overall 25, rush 16, pass 27; Raiders defense -- overall 30, rush 32, pass 22; Steelers offense -- overall 22, rush 31, pass 14; Steelers defense -- overall 9, rush 12, pass 11.
Key matchup: Oakland front seven vs. Pittsburgh offensive line. Raiders allowed a league-worst 156.9 yards per game on the ground last season. After struggling in 2003, Steelers were tops in running in the preseason, averaging 108.8 yards. Guard Alan Faneca made Pro Bowl last season, and with new acquisition Duce Staley running the ball, Steelers will look to grind out yards against Warren Sapp and Raiders.
Associated Press