PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Tomczak Gets Nod From Cowher

Settling the biggest debate in Pittsburgh, Coach Bill Cowher said Friday that Mike Tomczak will start at quarterback against the Raiders on Sunday at the Coliseum.

Neil O’Donnell started the first 10 games and completed 158 of 280 passes for 1,906 yards with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions. Last week, however, O’Donnell did not play because of hip and ankle injuries, and Tomczak threw for a career-high 343 yards in a 16-13 overtime victory over Miami.

Cowher maintained that his choice would be based strictly on O’Donnell’s health. O’Donnell won’t start, but he could still play. “Neil is ready to play if something were to happen to Mike,” Cowher said.

Does the quarterback matter to the Raiders?

“No, it doesn’t matter because they beat you with the things that they do and not with their quarterback,” Coach Art Shell said. “They beat you by running the ball, bootleg passes and gadget plays.”

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When Wes Bender signed as a free agent during the off-season from Kansas City, the chances for him to get much playing time were slim. The former USC fullback, however, has defeated the odds and is the Raiders’ backup fullback behind Tom Rathman.

Bender, who started the season on the practice squad, played two series in the Raiders’ victory over New Orleans last week and made a good impression.

“One thing Wes can do is block, but he is not just a blocker for us,” Shell said. “He’ll get a chance to carry the ball and also catch some passes out of the backfield.”

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Patrick Bates will start in place of Derrick Hoskins at strong safety for the third consecutive game Sunday. Hoskins, who suffered an ankle injury at Kansas City Nov. 6, will play a little. . . . Cornerback Lionel Washington is out with a lower leg injury but Albert Lewis is expected to return to the lineup. . . . Tim Brown needs 73 yards receiving to record his second consecutive 1,000-yard season. . . . Punter Jeff Gossett leads the AFC with a 44.6-yard average.