Raiders try to figure out how to carry over fast starts to 2nd half

Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) passes against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (The Associated Press)

Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden (20) scores on a 4-yard touchdown run past Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons (94), defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) and nose tackle Steve McLendon (90) during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (The Associated Press)

If the Oakland Raiders are going to make a run in the second half of the season they will have to become a much better second-half team.

The Raiders overcame a frustratingly familiar pattern in their 21-18 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. They followed a dynamic first-half offensive performance with a lackluster second and relied on a rapidly improving defense to hold on for the win.

The task for Oakland (3-4) now as the Raiders hit the soft part of their schedule is figuring out how to carry that first-half success over to the final 30 minutes.

The problem has been especially stark in recent weeks when the Raiders have dominated games for the first 30 minutes only to fall apart in the second half.