Pittsburgh @ Las Vegas preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 8, 2015 ) Oakland 35, Pittsburgh 38

The Pittsburgh Steelers' biggest fear has become reality, and they hope to overcome the obstacle and avoid a third straight loss when they visit the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. James Conner, who has filled in admirably as Pittsburgh's top running back this season, will miss the contest due to a sprained ankle - forcing the team to use a two-man approach.

Conner, who is fifth in the league with 909 rushing yards and is tied for fourth with 13 overall touchdowns, became the Steelers' feature back after Le'Veon Bell sat out the first half of the season before electing to remain home for the entire year. With the 23-year-old Conner sidelined, Pittsburgh figures to make both Stevan Ridley and rookie Jaylen Samuels part of the rushing attack this week. While the Steelers look to maintain their slim lead in the AFC North, the Raiders enter the contest even with San Francisco in the race for the first overall pick in next year's draft. Oakland came up empty at home last week as it came out on the wrong side of a 40-33 decision against conference-leading Kansas City.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Steelers -10. O/U: 51.5

ABOUT THE STEELERS (7-4-1): Antonio Brown can make NFL history on Sunday with a repeat performance from last week's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The 30-year-old receiver made 10 catches in the setback and can pass Wes Welker (672 receptions from 2007-12) for the most by a player over a six-year span with another double-digit total. Ben Roethlisberger hopes to pad his numbers against Oakland as he leads the NFL with 3,945 passing yards and ranks second with 341 completions.

ABOUT THE RAIDERS (2-10): Oakland has continued to make multiple changes to its roster this week in order to find the right fit, signing running back C.J. Anderson, cornerback Bene Benwikere and defensive ends Damontre' Moore and Kony Ealy. Fellow end Fadol Brown was waived while receiver Martavis Bryant (knee), linebacker Shilique Calhoun (neck) and safety Reggie Nelson (shoulder) were placed on injured reserve. Jared Cook is one of three tight ends in the league with at least three games with 100 receiving yards while Derek Carr has gone seven straight contests without an interception.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Steelers promoted RB Trey Edmunds from the practice squad, placed WR Justin Hunter (shoulder) on injured reserve and released LB Farrington Huguenin.

2. Oakland clamed Denzelle Good off waivers from Indianapolis and waived fellow OL Ian Silberman.

3. Pittsburgh has been better on the road than at home this season, going 4-1-1 in enemy territory.

PREDICTION: Steelers 41, Raiders 17