In a few days, the Las Vegas Raiders will host the Pittsburgh Steelers for Sunday Night Football at Allegiant Stadium.
The Steelers are coming off a comeback victory against the Cleveland Browns, while the Raiders are coming off a humiliating loss to the Buffalo Bills.
After giving up 38 points to the Bills, the Raiders will be seeking to improve on all sides of the field, particularly defensively. Additionally, they let the Bills convert seven out of thirteen third downs and three out of four fourth downs.
The second-year wide receiver from Pittsburgh, George Pickens, who is having a career season, will go up against the Raiders. Monday night against the Browns, Pickens caught four catches for 127 yards and a score.
Pickens appears to be the star of the Steelers’ passing game as Diontae Johnson, who has a hamstring ailment, is anticipated to be out for a long period. He received 10 targets on Monday and seven in Week 1; there is clear evidence of his relationship with second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett.
Pickens, a Georgia player who was taken in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draught, clearly has first-round ability. In the course of his three-year Bulldogs career, he caught 90 receptions for 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns. His output was constrained by injuries and Georgia’s offensive play style, which prevented him from reaching much greater figures.
Pickens has excellent physical stature for an outside receiver at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds. He plays with a fierce sense of competition, dominating his opponent with tenacity off the snap and finding openings with 4.4 speed. He also possesses exceptional ball-tracking abilities, allowing him to make challenging catches and adapt to where the ball is delivered.
Pickens will need to be ready for the Raiders since Pickett will frequently throw his way. Pickens will prevail in one-on-one contests if the defensive backs for the Raiders are unable to match his physicality.
Pickens is shown in spurts why he can be the No. 1 option in a passing game, and on Sunday he will aim to do it again when the Raiders are in town.
On Sunday, September 24, at 8:20 p.m. EDT/5:20 p.m. PDT, the Silver and Black meet the Pittsburgh Steelers at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
