The Pittsburgh Steelers vs Las Vegas Raiders rivalry is one of the NFL’s most enduring and compelling matchups. Beyond just wins and losses, the face‑offs between these two storied franchises have produced memorable performances, iconic moments, and statistical battles that define eras of professional football. In this article, we’ll dive deeply into the match player stats, compare key players across positions, explore historic trends, and break down how these factors shape outcomes in one of the league’s most fascinating rivalries.
Whether you’re a die‑hard fan, fantasy player, or statistics lover, this comprehensive guide will give you everything you need to understand not just the rivalry’s history but also how individual performances — from quarterbacks to defensive stars — influence every Steelers vs Raiders game.
1. Introduction
Every time the Steelers and Raiders step onto the gridiron, fans and analysts alike eagerly watch player performance metrics as closely as the score. From yardage totals to turnovers forced, player stats do far more than fill spreadsheets — they reveal strategy, execution, and momentum swings that can completely alter the course of a game.
Historically, this rivalry has showcased legendary athletes and tactical battles. Today’s matchups remain rich with statistical intrigue, spotlighting young stars alongside seasoned veterans. Understanding these stats gives deeper insight into how the rivalry has evolved and why every player’s contribution matters.
2. What Are “Steelers vs Las Vegas Raiders Match Player Stats”?
At its core, match player stats encompass the measurable actions of players during a game. These include:
- Passing yards and touchdowns
- Rushing yardage and scores
- Receiving totals
- Tackles, sacks, and turnovers
- Conversion efficiencies
- Special teams impact
For the Steelers and Raiders, these numbers help illustrate how offenses gain yards, how defenses disrupt plays, and how specific matchups — like a wide receiver vs a cornerback — can define a game.
Importantly, stats like rushing yard totals and conversions on third down often indicate which team controlled possession or dictated the pace. In the Steelers‑Raiders rivalry, contrasting styles — Pittsburgh’s traditional ground control and Las Vegas’ penchant for vertical passing — often surface in the box score and drive key discussions.
3. Key Players to Watch in the Match
In any Steelers vs Raiders matchup, a handful of players typically dominate the statistical narrative:
- Quarterbacks that drive offensive production
- Running backs that control pace and wear down defenses
- Wide receivers
- Tight ends
- Defensive playmakers
These athletes often show up in statistical categories that sway the result — whether it’s a big rushing day that chews clock or a standout defensive performance that forces turnovers.
Below, we examine position‑by‑position how individual performances shape the rivalry.
4. Quarterbacks Comparison: Roethlisberger vs Carr (and Beyond)
Quarterbacks are the focal point of any offense, and in the Steelers/Raiders rivalry, they’ve often defined games.
Historically, players like Ben Roethlisberger led Pittsburgh with veteran poise and big arm strength, while Derek Carr often provided efficient passing and strong decision‑making for Las Vegas.
Even though the contemporary Raiders have rotated quarterbacks in recent seasons, the rivalry stats tell a compelling story:
- From 1970–2024, the Steelers have completed 503 passes for 5,798 yards, 39 TDs, and 36 interceptions against the Raiders. The Raiders have compiled 488 completions for 5,562 yards, 42 TDs, and 40 interceptions in the same span — showing how closely matched the passing totals are over decades.
In recent seasons, the 2024 face‑off saw Justin Fields throw for 145 yards while adding 59 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns for Pittsburgh in a 32–13 win, exemplifying dual‑threat quarterback capabilities.
Quarterback comparisons in this rivalry tend to emphasize adaptability — from pocket passing to designed runs and clutch decisions under pressure.
5. Running Backs Battle: Najee Harris vs Raiders’ Ground Game
Running backs often set the tone on the ground and play pivotal roles in controlling clock and field position.
For the Steelers, Najee Harris emerged as a workhorse in recent years. In the October 2024 matchup, Harris racked up 106 rushing yards and a touchdown, helping Pittsburgh secure a decisive 32–13 victory.
Harris’s ability to hit holes, bounce outside, and maintain production makes him a matchup nightmare for defenders. Whether on early downs or in red zone situations, his aggression and vision consistently show up in the stat sheet.
On the Raiders’ side, while the team has historically relied on balanced offense, recent box scores show contributions from backs like Alexander Mattison, who chipped in with a rushing touchdown in the same 2024 game.
These ground battles often shape the game’s rhythm — Pittsburgh’s balance between run and pass contrasts with Las Vegas’s preference for spacing and aerial attack.
6. Wide Receivers Spotlight: Production and Explosiveness
Wide receivers are frequently responsible for momentum‑shifting plays.
In the 2023 matchup, Raiders star Davante Adams tallied 13 receptions for 172 yards and two touchdowns, dominating the receiving stats and proving a tough matchup for Pittsburgh’s secondary.
On the Steelers’ side, players like George Pickens and JuJu Smith‑Schuster bring complementary skills — Pickens with route‑running acumen and YAC (yards after catch) ability, and Smith‑Schuster with physical competitiveness on contested plays.
Over the years, receiving matchups in Steelers vs Raiders games have often mirrored team identities — Pittsburgh emphasizing possession and yards after catch, Las Vegas favoring vertical routes and contested catches.
7. Tight Ends Comparison: Mismatches and Reliability
Tight ends provide versatility: as blockers, reliable intermediate targets, and mismatches against linebackers or safeties.
For Pittsburgh, players like Eric Ebron have contributed consistent hands in key situations, particularly in securing first downs and red zone targets.
On Las Vegas’ roster, tight ends such as Darren Waller (in prior seasons) combined size and route‑running to become central to the pass offense.
In terms of player stats, tight end production doesn’t always jump off the page like yardage totals from receivers or rushers, but their presence often opens up opportunities — especially when they create mismatches against slower linebackers or smaller defensive backs.
8. Defensive Stars to Watch: Sacks, Pressure & Turnovers
Defense wins championships — and in the Steelers vs Raiders rivalry, defensive standouts have left their marks.
Players like T.J. Watt consistently impact this series with pressure and sacks. Across head‑to‑head matchups from 1970–2024, Pittsburgh’s defense logged 65 sacks, 40 interceptions, and 49 forced fumbles, while Las Vegas posted 66 sacks, 36 interceptions, and 54 forced fumbles — underscoring how aggressive defenses from both sides contribute to overall game flow.
In individual games, pressure packages that result in sacks or turnovers can swing momentum. For instance, during the Steelers’ 2023 victory, Pittsburgh’s defense recorded multiple sacks and key interceptions that stalled Raiders drives.
Defensive stats like tackles behind the line, pass breakups, and forced fumbles often decide tight games where neither offense dominates.
9. Team Performance Analysis: Steelers vs Raiders
When we zoom out from individual player stats to team performance, several trends emerge:
Total Yards & Efficiency
In the October 2024 matchup:
- Steelers amassed 293 total yards and controlled possession for over 31 minutes, aided by a solid rushing attack and efficient third‑down conversions.
- Raiders managed 275 total yards, with more reliance on passing (218 yards) than the Steelers, but struggled to maintain offensive rhythm.
This contrast highlights Pittsburgh’s balanced offensive approach versus Las Vegas’s need to stretch the field through air — a classic juxtaposition in this rivalry.
Turnovers & Possession
Turnovers and possession stats often reflect which team has momentum. In several recent meetings, the Raiders committed multiple turnovers that Pittsburgh’s defense capitalized on, effectively shortening games.
Controlling time of possession includes not just rushing success but also minimizing penalties and sustaining long drives — areas where Pittsburgh has historically excelled.
Third‑Down Efficiency
Conversion on third down is another key indicator of offensive success. Teams that can sustain drives through situational football typically win more than they lose; both recent matchups show Pittsburgh converting enough critical downs to maintain offense and keep the Raiders off balance.
10. Modern Game Stats: 2024 Match & Recent Years
The 2024 Steelers vs Raiders matchup, played on October 13, 2024, was a decisive 32–13 victory for Pittsburgh. Key statistical takeaways from that game:
- Steelers total offense: 293 yards
- Raiders total offense: 275 yards
- Steelers rushing: 183 yards, led by Najee Harris (106 yards, 1 TD)
- Raiders passing: 218 yards
- Steelers passing: 110 yards
- Turnovers: Raiders had multiple turnovers, Pittsburgh none
These numbers show Pittsburgh’s ability to balance run/pass while forcing turnovers — a recipe that has worked often against the Raiders in recent seasons.
Other matchups, like the 2023 affair where Davante Adams exploded for 172 receiving yards, reveal how single performances can swing statistical narratives even if the final score is close.
11. Historical Rivalry Overview
The Steelers‑Raiders rivalry dates back to 1970 and has spanned more than 15 seasons of head‑to‑head competition. Across this history:
- The Raiders lead the all‑time series including playoffs.
- The teams have met in playoff games as well as dramatic regular‑season battles.
Some highlights from rivalry history include numerous meetings in the 1970s, when both teams were perennial contenders, and competitive eras in the 1980s and 2000s.
Steely defenses and historic offensive stars have left their mark — from Terry Bradshaw and Ken Stabler to later stars like Roethlisberger and Carr.
12. Last 10 Years: Steelers vs Raiders Record
Over the past decade, Pittsburgh has edged ahead in overall wins against Las Vegas. Recent rivalry outcomes include:
- 2023: Steelers won 23–18
- 2024: Steelers won 32–13
- Other games in the last decade show mixed results, with Raiders wins in earlier years but a trend toward Pittsburgh dominance in the mid‑2020s.
These results reflect how Pittsburgh’s balanced offense and stout defense have disrupted the Raiders’ evolution of an explosive passing game.
13. Statistical Trends: Offense and Defense
Offensive Trends
Across historical and recent matchups:
- Steelers typically average more rushing yards versus Las Vegas defenses
- Raiders often produce higher passing yardage
These tendencies reflect the fundamental approaches of both teams — Pittsburgh’s balanced attack versus Las Vegas’s vertical passing strategy.
Defensive Trends
Defensively, the rivalry shows compelling numbers:
- The Steelers have accumulated significant sacks and interceptions, often leading to favorable field position and turnovers.
- The Raiders’ defense counters with its own pressure and strip‑sack forces.
Turnovers have often set up short fields, contributing to scoring swings and momentum shifts in close games.
14. All‑Time Great Performers in the Rivalry
Some players who have dominated stat sheets and shaped Steelers vs Raiders lore include:
- Legendary quarterbacks like Terry Bradshaw
- Running backs creating consistent yardage gains
- Defensive stars who rack up sacks and forced turnovers
- Receivers who made big plays in crucial moments
Over decades, these individual performances have built a narrative of competitive balance and memorable statistical achievements.
15. Legacy and Future Outlook
As of the mid‑2020s, both teams continue to evolve:
- Pittsburgh emphasizes a strong ground game and developing young playmakers
- Las Vegas seeks to build around an efficient passing attack and dynamic offensive personnel
Looking ahead, emerging stars on both sides — whether receivers stretching defenses or defenders disrupting schemes — will continue to enrich this rivalry’s statistical landscape. Given how close many recent games have been, future matchups promise more intriguing player stat battles.
16. Conclusion
The Steelers vs Las Vegas Raiders match player stats reflect a rivalry built on balance, competitiveness, and memorable individual performances. From quarterbacks orchestrating drives to defensive playmakers forcing changeovers, every aspect of the game finds expression in statistics.
As fans continue to analyze yardage totals, turnovers, and clutch performances, it’s clear that this rivalry remains rich with narrative and statistical depth — one that will captivate followers for years to come.
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