Official Las Vegas Raiders Thread

Would love to see that. He has the speed and explosiveness.

 

Jackson had a good pre-season.

 

They went in a different direction.

IN Shorter WR

 

It's gameday, lads!

Raiders (4-13) at Patriots (4-13)
Both teams were disappointing last season, finishing with the third and fourth worst point differentials and tied for the third worst record in the AFC. Change came quickly. The Raiders fired Antonio Pierce, replacing him with Pete Carroll (170-120-1 career NFL record). They added a solid vet QB in Geno Smith. The Patriots dumped Jerod Mayo for Mike Vrabel. They return Drake Maye, last season's first round signal caller.

The Raiders and Patriots have both routinely made lists of most improved teams from last season. MSN, for instance, has the Raiders at #1 and Patriots at #2. The Pats' biggest improvement is likely their offense, with a new line, Stefon Diggs, and TreVeyon Henderson. The Raiders added Geno Smith, drafted Ashton Jeanty, and seem to have improved their OL, too.

While both teams are projected to improve, at least according to the Vegas Over/Under, the Patriots are looking more improved. With a win over/under of 8.5, they should be in the playoff fight. The Raiders, meanwhile, have a paltry 6.5 wins over/under. Only three teams have worse odds.

For the Raiders to win, they have to at least not lose the turnover battle. They were horrendous last season at this, and it continued in the preseason this year. They were -1 vs. Seattle and tied, -1 vs. San Franciso and lost, and -1 vs. Arizona and lost.

Patriots 53% win chance
Prediction: 24-20 Patriots

 

Great first drive...then an INT on the second drive. Brutal.

 

Okay, 1 TO, 7 points allowed off TO. Tie game.

 

Offense floundering now. INT, then consecutive 3-and-outs.

 

Raiders since the INT: 6 plays, 1 yard, -10 on the scoreboard. A shot here before the half to turn the tides a bit.

 

Another bad drive, another asinine JPJ penalty. Really bad look.

 

Possibly ending the half with 9 plays losing 20 yards since that INT. Ooof.

 

Carlson wide on a FG attempt to end the half.

 

Pola-Mao with his first INT of the season. Going to be a leader on that defense.

 

Congrats to Jeanty on his first rushing TD in S&B.

 

4 sacks and no running game. JPJ struggling.

 

Carlson drills a 51-yarder. 17-10 lead.

 

Jeanty with some frustrating plays. Lost his footing, couldn't secure the first. But Carlson boots it through. 20-10. Raidahs.

 

Raiders had a single QB hit 300+ yards one time last season. Smith there in week 1.

 

Bowers was in the tent. Exits with a limp.

 

Koonce with a strip sack!

That gives Koonce, Wilson, and Crosby - the trio - with a sack each.

 

Big catch from the rook Thornton.