The Silver and Black Shitshow: Chapter 7 - "This Week on 'Days of Our Steelers'"

*Readers' Discretion is Advised*

Before I write this chapter, I will let you know that I am in no way, shape, or form, associated with UrinatingTree nor responsible for the creation of "Days of Our Steelers." I am just a fan of his content and shitposting of all things sports. The shitposting of UrinatingTree of his own Pittsburgh Steelers has inspired me to create this segment on the blog to substitute live coverage of Raider games. Cause let's be honest, they aren't doing that well since they made a string of dumb ass decisions in the thought of thinking they can easily replace a talent of Mack or Cooper's talent in the next NFL Draft. They're tanking right now. That is a fact. And the lack of cohesion among the organization, front office, coaching staff, and players has manifested itself week after week. Since the Raiders did play the Steelers and won in a way that'll awaken the rage of the Yinzer, it would eventually set up for a "Days of Our Steelers" episode of epic proportions. 

This chapter will be a lot different. What will be written here is not a rehash of the new "Days of Our Steelers" episode. What this chapter will be is a scholarly critique of the episode from the perspective of a Raiders fan who's lost all sanity at the start of the season. Well, scholarly may be pushing it because that don't mix with insanity. But you guys get what I mean. If you're a sports fan who hasn't heard of him, then I suggest you go check out his YouTube channel and subscribe. Praise the almighty Yinzer and his rage! And fuck you Spanos!

If you love sports and drama, whether you're a Steelers fan, a Steelers hater, or an NFL newbie, you will love "Days of Our Steelers." "Days of Our Steelers" is an episodic mini series on YouTube created by UrinatingTree. The premise behind the segment chronicles the drama within the Pittsburgh Steelers organization. Such examples include Le'Veon Bell's holdout, Antonio Brown being a diva and throwing a temper tantrum when the ball is not thrown to him, and Captain Fatfuck himself, Big Ben Roethlisberger throwing teammates under the bus because he can do whatever the fuck he wants to do. The segment itself is even funnier when the Steelers lose against weaker competition that they should've beaten soundly. After all, the Steelers have a chronic history of playing down to their level of competition over the years. They are an example of potent talent that's being handicapped because of their pride and arrogance, blindly assuming that the league will bow down to them.

This week's episode of "Days of Our Steelers" featured the Silver and Black Shitshow themselves or the "Autumn Fart" as UrinatingTree coined them. This was the Steelers' last chance to beat an AFC West opponent as they were 0-3 in their attempts. The Steelers were flat out embarrassed in Pittsburgh by the Cult of Mahomes and Kareem Hunt before he became known as "The KHunt." Second try, the Steelers got a little Mile High as they lose to the Broncos when Captain Fatfuck threw a very sloppy interception at the 3-yard line to Shelby Harris, the ex-Raider, in the End Zone. Why not give it to James Conner to punch it in? Two Sunday Nights ago, they faced off against a surging Chargers team. I mean, that game should've been the game where the real Steelers should've stood up. They're facing off against a contending team. San Dieg-err Los Angeles doesn't even have their best running back on the field in Melvin Gordon. This should be an easy win for Pittsburgh at home. They couldn't capitalize after building a big lead because to the Steelers, "halftime adjustments" did not exist in the English language. And who can forget the infamous final seconds of that game when the Steelers were offsides for three consecutive fucking plays? At this point, it's like they're begging the Ravens to overtake them for the division lead in the AFC North.

Since the Raiders pulled off the upset, I've been waiting for this episode all week and I was not disappointed one bit. Something about the Oakland Coliseum just brings the worst out of the Steelers and they lose in the most stunning fashion possible to the Raiders. Since Ben Roethlisberger entered the league, the Steelers lost in their visits to Oakland in 2006, 2012, 2013, and 2018. Out of those four teams, the 2006 Raiders roster at least had talent. They had a great defense and Randy Moss *shudders* was still a deep threat whenever he's on the field. The only problem was Art Shell, his coaching staff, the outdated schemes they ran, and Andrew Walter and Aaron Brooks tagging in and out as starting quarterbacks. 2012, 2013, and 2018, the Raiders were in the midst of roster deconstruction and the Steelers overwhelmed them in talent on both sides of the ball. But as usual, they play down to their level and it bites them in the ass.

The rib injury on Ben Roethlisberger, outside of the issues of cleats and footing from Ryan Switzer and Chris Boswell was probably the most mysterious thing that happened in this game and this was covered in half of the episode. At first glance, I thought Big Ben was in concussion protocol, it turned out it was a rib injury. He did take a good shot. I couldn't remember who tackled him. Would the Steelers had finally break the curse had Big Ben played the whole game? That is arguable. Because honestly, they did not look good with their backup QB. That was the perfect opportunity for the Silver and Black to stop being the Shitshow. They couldn't do anything the majority of the third quarter as the Steelers D easily penetrated the most penetrable O-line courtesy of the Cable guy. Checkdown Derek was getting harassed as he took sack after sack. But luckily, the Steelers couldn't do anything without Big Ben. That set up the Shitshow to conduct the ritual to resurrect 2016 MVP Derek Carr. "The shattered dreams of what was once a quarterback (4:18)" was indeed resurrected as he outclutched Big Ben in the last two TD drives. The last drive though that set up the TD to Derek Carrier, Carr threw a deep ball to Seth Roberts. That play looked awfully familiar when Carr hit Crabtree in stride 3 years ago against the same Steelers team for the game-tying TD in Pittsburgh. It's safe to say, on that play, that Derek Carr and Seth Roberts are finally reminded that money is the root of all evil and started balling like they did before they hit lucrative pay dirt with contract extensions.

It's not just fact that the Steelers lost, it's how they lost. From Big Ben's mysterious rib injury to Chris Boswell slipping and sliding for the game-tying field goal. I gotta admit, that lateral to JuJu Smith-Schuster almost got me a heart attack. It was almost like Antonio Brown outrunning a near 40-year old Charles Woodson back in 2015 to set up a Boswell game-winning field goal. Speaking of AB, I guess it's a big win that he didn't put up 200+ receiving yards yet again considering how shit this defense is without a consistent pass rush. He was lost on "(Gareon) Conley Island" this game. This time, it didn't bite the Raiders in the ass because the Steelers do what they do when they come to Oakland and that's lose in embarrassing fashion. To no surprise, the Yinzer raged on the Steelers' shortcomings, which is always the best part of this segment. Good luck against New England and New Orleans the next two weeks. This episode definitely sets up another two more great episodes to come.

While the Raiders celebrated the win and the Tank Commander celebrated with Raider Nation, the jubilation was short-lived and they immediately turned back to the Shitshow we know and love. The day after the win against the Steelers, the Shitshow proceeded to relieve Big, Fat, Freckle-Faced Reggie McKenzie of his general manager duties. Let's be honest, we saw this coming a mile away since Chucky was hired. True, McKenzie didn't exactly have a good track record, but the guy was financially strapped his first two years. He finally builds a team only for the Tank Commander to tear it back down and place all the blame on McKenzie for his shortcomings. "I was in the meeting room when the announcement was made." Chucky said. That is signs of deflecting blame that you have a hand when you literally berate McKenzie to the press week after week. You'll be well on your way to a political career after this shitfest Chuckster!

With the trades and the behind-the-scenes politics within, the Raiders have hit an all-time low in terms of being an incompetent organization. It's just like Fight Club. "The first rule of Fight Club' is that you don't talk about 'Fight Club.'"And the Raiders clearly don't want to talk about the internal turmoil surrounding this team. What's the worse that could happen? Oh look, the City of Oakland is finally filing that lawsuit for you to finally get the fuck out after cockteasing them since the Vegas move was approved. There goes all hope of playing in Oakland until the Vegas stadium is complete in 2020. After Christmas Eve this year, you'll no longer be known as the Oakland Raiders. You'll be the To Be Determined (TBD)...Raiders...of Las Vegas.  Time to start home searching. You got a head start by going overseas yet again next year for an International Series game that the NFL likes to shove down everyone's throats. But hey, no matter where they go it's Raider Nation all day right? Astonishing to see that a team with the same name and colors changes entirely new locations five times in their franchise history. Five times! Absolute lunacy at its finest! Sums up the dysfunction of this organization's ownership under the Davis family.

Antonio Brown's Career Day Burns Raiders

Welcome in to the full recap of the Raiders' matchup vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers in what is a matchup of epic proportions with playoff implications on the line. It was a fight to the finish, but in the end the Raiders fell just short as they fall to the Steelers in Pittsburgh 35-38.

Add this game to the list of "what-ifs" if the Raiders failed to qualify for the playoffs this season. This is another heartbreaking defeat this season. But I won't deny that this game was a valiant effort by the Raiders in a very hostile environment in Pittsburgh, but moral victories don't count. I don't know what else to say other than this game hurts.

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Michael Crabtree, 7 receptions, 108 yards, 2 TDs. Like I said in the halftime report, as the season winds down, maybe it's time to give Crabtree a contract extension. Cooper saved face by tacking on 88 receiving yards and a TD, but he dropped some sure-handed catches, the rest of the receivers dropped some balls this game, but Crabtree stepped it up and followed up his spectacular performance last week against the Jets. He grabbed a TD to give the Raiders the first strike and grabbed another TD to tie it all up late in the 4th quarter. Reggie McKenzie needs to hear us now and offer a long term contract to stay.

Derek Carr, 24 of 44 passes, 301 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT. I'll be honest, in the first half, Derek Carr wasn't getting anything going for him. He made a couple of overthrows and lead his receivers way out of bounds when he was making some throws off the bootleg. But he still made some TDs to Crabtree, Cooper, and Walford to keep this team within striking distance. But what was striking about adding Carr is that he lead the Raiders to a game tying drive. If you look at that last drive, Latavius Murray was out, Rodney Hudson was out, Carr threw a pick the drive prior to the last drive of the game for the Raiders, but he still managed to will the team and tie the game up. This was especially on the road as well. Tremendous poise by Carr despite all the situations that happened this game.

(-)

Secondary. In case we haven't heard the news, the secondary is still atrocious with the exception of Charles Woodson. Let's look at Antonio Brown's numbers: 17 receptions, 284 yards. That is a career high for Brown. The guy is just uncoverable and there was absolutely nothing the secondary can do about it. The Raiders need a shutdown corner and a ball hawk safety because D.J. Hayden, David Amerson, Larry Asante, Taylor Mays, Antonio Brown burned all of them big time this game.

Run defense. The Steelers were without Le'Veon Bell, this is going to be easy picking for the run defense to bruise up DeAngelo Williams, right? The Steelers did to the Raiders' run defense what the Raiders did to the Jets' run defense. DeAngelo Williams had 27 carries for 170 yards and just rammed this defense down. Then again, he has an amazing wide receiver in Antonio Brown so that likely opens up the run game.

Turnovers. If there's one knack on Latavius Murray, he doesn't hold on to the ball or lets the ball bounce off his chest for a potential circus INT. Murray had two fumbles, one that almost was scooped for a TD had Mike Mitchell stayed in bounds. Taiwan Jones also had trouble handling the ball. Most may argue that Derek Carr's INT was costly, but Taiwan Jones' fumble off the kickoff was more of the back breaking turnover because that helped set up the Steelers to gain a two possession lead. Turnovers hurt this game, especially when the defense can't get a breather from trying to stop Antonio Brown.

Conclusion

Chicago, Denver, and now Pittsburgh. The Raiders' only legit loss was against the incumbent, undefeated Cincinnati Bengals in the first game of the season. The three losses against Chicago, Denver, and Pittsburgh will play a huge role down the stretch. With the Jets winning today and the Steelers toppling the Raiders here, the Raiders are tentatively out of the wild card picture. Overall, this game was an adrenaline rush the whole way, but like I said the Raiders competed their butts off, but the effort fell short. There's no time to mope now, the Raiders can rebound at home next week against a surprising Minnesota Vikings team. These next three games vs. Minnesota, @ Detroit, @ Tennessee will be critical and then the Raiders have a divisional matchup with the Chiefs before their rematch with the Broncos in Denver. But for now, focus on Minnesota because they've been red hot lately and the run defense is going to be tested against Adrian Peterson. This is the matchup we, the Raider Nation have been waiting for and also what the Vikings fans have been waiting for: Teddy Bridgewater vs. Derek Carr for quarterback supremacy among the 2014 draft class. It should be an exciting game. I'll see you guys next week vs. the Vikings.

Week 9: AFC Rivalry Renewed RAIDERS @ Pittsburgh Steelers Q-by-Q Reaction

Q4:

OAK 35 PIT 38

What a competitive game, but too many mistakes just cost the Raiders at the end. Antonio Brown burned this secondary big time. That catch and run by Brown was huge and gave the Steelers excellent field position to set up a game winning field goal. This game lived up to the hype as a game of epic proportions with playoff implications on the line. This game won't go up there with the "Immaculate Reception" or anything, but the Steelers once again break the hearts of us Raiders fans in Pittsburgh. Stay tuned for the full recap.

Q3:

OAK 21 PIT 21

The Steelers are not feeling the lost of Le'Veon Bell because DeAngelo Williams is just taking it to the Raiders run defense. The Raiders managed to tie it up this quarter, but they've lost some key pieces to that offense. Latavius Murray went back to locker room with concussion, Clive Walford got shaken up from a hit. These are definite blows to the Raider offense and it could affect the outcome of the 4th quarter.

Q2:

OAK 14 PIT 21

Ah, the Raiders didn't even try to tack on any points with 29 seconds left in the 2nd quarter. But right now, somebody please cover Antonio Brown? Just awful coverage on him and that helped set up 2 rushing TDs by DeAngelo Williams. So far, momentum has favored the Steelers. Onto the halftime report.

Q1:

OAK 7 PIT 3

Impressive 1st drive by the offense to take the crowd out of it. However, since then, the offense has been kept in check by this underrated Steelers defense. And that's where credit is due. Right now, the Steelers are showing why they've been perennial contenders against this Raiders team and while the offense has not clicked since Carr's TD pass to Michael Crabtree, Ben Roethlisberger and Steelers offense started to click on the current drive at the end of this quarter.

RAIDERS-Steelers Halftime Post

OAK 14 PIT 21

Welcome in to the halftime post of the Raiders' critical matchup vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh where the Steelers lead the Raiders by a single TD 14-21 at the half.

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Michael Crabtree, 2 receptions, 41 yards, TD. This is why Crabtree needs an extension. After putting up 100+ yards against the Jets, he's followed up that performance in the first half against the Steelers by hauling in a TD by Carr on the Raiders' first drive. He could've had more, but Derek Carr lead him way too far out of bounds on two of those incomplete passes. Amari Cooper and the rest of the receiving corps struggled with drops and that's why Crabtree is leading the team in receiving.

Latavius Murray, 9 carries, 72 yards. While the passing game was up and down in the first half, I thought the running game was the only consistent going for this Raiders' offense. Going back to the first drive, Murray exploded with a 44 yard run and that was the difference maker as to why the running game was consistent for the offense in the first half.

(-)

Secondary. Antonio Brown, 10 receptions for 180 yards in the first half. Enough said.

Bottom Line

Despite Antonio Brown's career day and bringing the Raiders' secondary back down to earth, lucky enough the Raiders are down by a one touchdown score. Even though the Steelers did it in an unconventional way, the Raiders are hanging around. The offensive play calling has to be better and this Raider offense is too good to have shackles on, but that's due to a lot of dropped passes; those have to get cleaned up in the second half. And the defense, the secondary only has one job, stopping Antonio Brown. This man-to-man coverage isn't working against him. Put safety help on him or something because he is just toasting Amerson and Hayden so far.