Official Las Vegas Raiders Thread

Raiders (1-2) vs. Bears (1-1)
The Bears have a decent offense and a terrible defense. Caleb Williams is playing well, and that has made a big difference in the passing game. The Bears will, however, be without D'Andre Swift. Williams has been sacked 6 times in the last two games, so look for the Raiders to put pressure on him. Chicago goes as the turnover battle goes. They've done a good job creating INTs. That poses problems for Geno Smith.

It's time for Jeanty to have his breakout game. He's way under the radar with 13 broken tackles on 47 carries this season. It's only a matter of time before a broken tackle leads to a huge run. Opponents have had success against Chicago's run D: Jordan Mason rushed for 68 yards, Jahmyr Gibbs had 94, and Javonte Williams had 76. All of them broke at least one run of 19+ yards. No team has totaled fewer than 120 rushing yards against Chicago.

The Raiders are actually 1.5-point favorites.

Bears: 51%-win chance, straight up, but it's an away game for them.
Prediction: Raiders 24, Bears 23

 

Uh-oh. D'Andre Swift is officially active.

 

Da Bears by 10... Crosby dropping back into coverage? White returning kickoffs? O-Line a turnstile... Coaching staff turmoil. Team's a joke.

 

But we have Jeanty and Crosby!

 

Good lord, Geno. WTF are you doing?

 

Jeanty first Raiders rookie since Bo Jackson with a rushing and receiving TD. And he adds a second receiving TD.

 

Trailing with about 90 seconds left. Really put the defense in a tough spot this game, but this was just a good drive from Chicago.

 

Whatever happened early, each phase of the game had a chance - and they all failed.

Defense was shredded on the final drive.
Offense couldn't convert a third and 1.
FG team allows a blocked kick.

 

Geno Smith is Jameis Winston Lite.

 

That's exactly what I was thinking. After I shat upon the idea of signing Winston during the offseason...turns out we basically did.

 

If Pickett is healthy enough, he can start. He'll "manage" games and NOT lose them. Has a winning record career-wise.

Update: Carroll is sticking with Smith as the starter.

 

Miller = high ankle sprain. Out multiple weeks? When it rains it pours.

Update: Hairline fracture...out for the season. 10 Weeks max pretty much.

 

Awful news.

 

Raiders (1-3) at Colts (3-1)
Paced by Jonathan Taylor's league-leading rushing, the Colts have been very good on offense this season. Daniel Jones has been great, too. That offense has taken care of the ball, works clock, and has the longest and best sustained drives of any offense in the NFL (per PFR). This is one of the teams that can match up well with LV in the kicking game, too. They have a great kicker, and Rigoberto Sanchez has been excellent punting so far. Their weakness is clearly a defense that was shredded in the passing game last week. Even so, they've held two teams to sub 300 yards of offense and have forced 6 Takeaways. That's not a bad weakness.

The Raiders' offensive issues aren't going to magically improve with the loss of Kolton Miller up front. It's really up to Geno Smith to stop making horrible throws. Eight turnovers. Two games of 3+ TOs. Not recipes for success. What is a recipe for success is the running game. Jeanty and Mostert have combined for 344 yards on 72 carries. Last week, Jeanty looked like the back the Raiders drafted, shedding tackles and breaking off chunk plays. What the Raiders need is some more consistency from the o-line and another consistent receiving threat. Bowers has been slowed by injuries, and aside from a huge breakout game, Tre Tucker has been quiet.

Vegas needs someone other than Maxx Crosby to step up on defense. He's the team leader or is tied in interceptions, passes defended, forced fumbles, tackles for loss, and QB hits. He's second in sacks. Daniel Jones struggles with pressure, so I'm looking at Koonce, Laulu, and Tyree Wilson. If the Raiders can put pressure on Jones, this could be a fun game. If he works with a clean pocket, the Raiders will be gassed and whipped in the fourth quarter.

Indy opened 1.5-point favorites, but that quickly swelled to 7.

Colts: 70%-win chance, straight up
Prediction: Colts 27, Raiders 21

 

Injury report:

Questionable: Bowers, Mayer, and Eric Stokes.
Done: Kolton Miller

Colt
OUT: Goodson RB, Kenny Moore CB, Alec Pierce WR, Daniel Scott S; Questionable: Tyquan Lewis DE

 

Parham, Meredith, JPJ, Glaze, and Stone Forsythe starting on the O-line.

No Germaine Pratt today among the LBs.

 

Blocked FG last week. Blocked punt this week. Cole limping. Awesome.

 

Cole carted off to the locker room.

 

8th INT for Smith. This one in the red zone. He's just a mess.

 

Announcers said the (near) pick six was Thornton's fault. The early ball was batted for an INT.

This is 9 INTs. f***ing awful.