Greetings from freezing Heinz Field, was 29 degrees here this morning...clear skies now, a day after snow flurries blanketed the grass during the Pitt-Cincinnati Big East game.
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Follow me on Twitter @paulhgutierrez
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Raiders inactives - Raiders inactives - receivers Darrius Heyward-Bey, Javon Walker and Nick Miller, linebacker David Nixon, offensive linemen Khalif Barnes and Erik Pears and defensive end Greg Ellis. Charlie Frye is the No. 3 quarterback.
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Raiders captains - Gary Russell, Richard Seymour, Robert Gallery
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Raiders lose coin toss, Steelers elect to receieve...
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It is 33 degrees at kickoff
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Reed's 33-yard field goal gives Steelers 3-0 lead, flur plays after Stefan Logan returns opening kickoff 83 yards to Oakland's 19-yard line.
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SeaBass with 48-yard FGl after Raiders go for it at midfield and convert a 4th and 1...gutsy. But why not go for it on 4th and 1 from 30?
Raiders 3, Steelers 3, 8:36 to play in 1st quarter
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1st quarter ends with scored tied 3-3. Raiders with HUGE 4th down stop of Steelers at their own 5-yard line...Raiders have held the ball for 8:25, to the Steelers' 6:35...
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Steelers victimize Tyvon Branch twice, going 61 yards in two passes to go up 10-3 with 13:49 to go in second quarter. Roethlisberger hits Ward for 27-yard pickup, then finds Holmes for a 34-yard TD...
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Raiders center Samson Satele has an ankle injury, his return is "questionable." Chris Morris has replaced him
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Gradkowski's 27-yard run to PIT 18-yard line on a naked bootleg called back by hold on Mario Henderson...Loved 'Ski jawing with Ike Taylor, who hit him and sent him out of bounds, after the play. EVen as the refs were walking off the penalty yardage...
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SeaBass continues to be Raiders' best offensive weapon...his 43-yard field goal gets Raiders to within 10-6 with 8:17 to play in half...
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Raiders DBs must practice tip drill...Hiram Eugene's INT of Big Ben in back of end zone a thing of tip-drill beauty
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HALFTIME
Steelers 10, Raiders 6
Raiders are still in this because its offense has a 17:15-12:45 advantage in time of possession, and because its defense has twice held in the red zone - an INT by Hiram Eugene in the end zone and stopping the Steelers on 4th and 1 at the 5...
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Robert Gallery gets hurt in a busted trick play...Gradkowski pitches to McFadden, who laterals back to Gradkowski, who is then nailed for a 16-yard sack by Woodley.
It's Gallery's back, his return is "questionable" and he is replaced at left guard by Langston Walker, a lifelong tackle
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Clutch 10-yard sack by Trevor Scott to end 3rd quarter. Steelers now have to kick it 53 yards, into the open end of the stadium...
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It pays off, Reed's 53-yard field goal, which would have been a Heinz Field record, is wide left on 1st play of 4th quarter.
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Now safety Tyvon Branch is out with a groin injury. His return is "questionable" and rookie Mike Mitchell was in for him.
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Raiders convert second 4th and 1 play at midfield...gutsy.
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Wow, after hauling in Gradkowski's 17-yard TD pass, Schillens wags a finger at crowd, Dikembe style...Raiders 13, Steelers 10, 8:21 to play. Crowd booing Steelers and their three-game losing streak now.
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Big plays kill the Raiders again...a 37-yard kickoff return, followed by a 57-yard pass and a three-yard TD run...Steelers up again, 17-13, 7:13 to play.
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Raiders showing heart..score on 75-yard pass to Murphy, who beats Ike Taylor, then stutter-steps him at the 18...OAK 20, PIT 17, 5:28 to go
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Big play after big play given up again by Raiders defense...Steelers at the OAK 11 at the 2 minute warning
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How cute...Big Ben and Hines Ward kiss and make up after QB hits WR for 11-yard TD to go up 24-20 with 1:56 to play .
Chris Johnson justifiably upset as replays show Ward hooking his facemask and pushing off to get free on TD,
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Raiders go 88 yards in 10 plays, score on Gradkowski's 11-yard TD pass to Murphy with nine seconds to play...
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BALLGAME...Steelers are done, lost four straight..Big Ben's 50-yard Hail Mary to Sweed broken up by Hiram Eugene...Raiders 27, Steelers 24.
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