ALAMEDA — When Big Ben has the ball, the Raiders will be on the clock.

But for how long?

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has made a living out of buying extra time and then striking downfield.

The Raiders (4-3) have made Roethlisberger’s creative forays a point of emphasis heading into Sunday’s game against the Steelers (4-4) at Heinz Field.

“The average play is four or five seconds, and that’s basically it,” Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said Friday. “With him, it can be extended. Eight, nine, 10 seconds into the play, he can be running around, looking to throw it downfield … it’s not normal.”

The Raiders are ranked 31st in pass defense at 302.1 yards per game, but the yardage total is deceiving in that in each of the last two weeks the second half has been spent protecting a big lead.

In the past two games, Geno Smith of the New York Jets passed for 204 of his 265 yards in the second half with the Raiders in control and San Diego’s Philip Rivers had 231 of his 336 yards playing with a big deficit.

Yet the Raiders were much better against the Jets than against the Chargers, limiting yards after the catch with sure tackling and keeping the gains short and within the field of play.

“I feel like we took a step in the right direction,” linebacker Malcolm Smith said. “We learned from the San Diego experience.”

Rivers, however, is nothing like the 6-foot-5, 240-pound Roethlisberger in terms of breaking tackles. Unlike Smith, who is looking to run once outside the pocket, Roethlisberger sees it as an opportunity to find a receiver breaking free.

After missing four games because of a knee injury, Roethlisberger completed 28 of 45 passes for 262 yards and a touchdown but had three interceptions in a 16-10 loss to Cincinnati. He figures to be sharper with a game under his belt with the Raiders coming to town.

“He’s only been doing this about 12 years, I’m sure he’s comfortable,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said.

In the secondary, the “do your job mantra” takes on added significance against Roethlisberger, who can strike deep to Antonio Brown (52 receptions, 718 yards) or find tight end Heath Miller (10 catches last week against the Bengals) over the middle after evading a rush.

Other Steelers receivers who are well-schooled in making big plays in chaotic situations include Martavis Bryant and former Raiders wideout Darrius Heyward-Bey.

“You just have to remind yourself what type of quarterback you’re playing against,” Raiders safety Larry Asante said. “A guy like Big Ben, he doesn’t escape the pocket to run the ball, he’s looking to chuck it deep. You have to remind yourself to stay in coverage until you hear the whistle blow.”

In a loud road environment, communication becomes impossible once the ball is snapped, making it imperative that defenders stick with their man.

“If the play breaks down, you’ve just got to be a football player,” cornerback David Amerson said. “Trust your instincts and your eyes. Don’t be looking in the backfield to see what he’s doing. Stay locked on your man, and when the ball comes, try to make a play.”

Middle linebacker Curtis Lofton said discipline among defenders will be imperative.

“You have to make sure as a defender you stay home,” Lofton said. “When you see him scramble and someone’s got him in the grasp, you can’t give up because he’ll still get it downfield. You see it time and again.”

Del Rio said Raiders defenders will need “grown-man strength” to get Roethlisberger down, while Lofton urged teammates to “tackle the ball … if you try and tackle him by the waist or the other arm, he throws them off. Tackle the ball and we’ll like the outcome.”

Roethlisberger has 25 career fumbles, including a career-high five last season.

Defensive back TJ Carrie was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable to face Pittsburgh. The only player ruled out was linebacker Neiron Ball (knee). Those who are probable are defensive end Khalil Mack (hamstring), safety Taylor Mays (ankle), safety Charles Woodson (shoulder, knee) and Asante (knee).

Linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong was fined $17,363 for his hit against Jets quarterback Smith, the league confirmed.