The Las Vegas Raiders will travel to East Rutherford, NJ to take on the New York Jets in Week 13. Keep in mind the ‘Gang Green’ are not looking very good this season, and currently hold a 0-11 record behind head coach Adam Gase. Putting aside Gase for a moment, let’s focus on the Jets players that need to lock in and try to win against the Raiders.
The Raiders must take quarterback Sam Darnold seriously
Starting off with Captain Obvious, Sam Darnold has been looking rough all year, meaning he has forgotten how to throw a touchdown. The third-year quarterback has not thrown a ball in the endzone since Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts. In that game, his line was one touchdown alongside three interceptions, which is a bit dampening.
The Jets signal-caller has a 68.4 quarterback rating, with a 3-to-8 TD/Int ratio this season. Do keep in mind he missed a sparse amount of time for an injury, and veteran Joe Flacco replaced him for three games.
The Raiders do not want to sleep on Darnold, the moment that a team sleeps on a rough player is the game the player goes off. They should try to make Darnold’s interception count reach the decade mark this game.
Related: Are Raiders Reverting Back To Undisciplined Football?
How can kicker Sergio Castillo be a player to watch?
Castillo, isn’t he ‘just a kicker’? Yep, he is, and a very good one at that. Castillo will make you pay if the Jets get stopped in his field goal range. He already cranked a 55 yarder threw the uprights this year, along with a 50 yarder.
The 30-year-old XFL and CFL veteran made his regular-season NFL debut earlier in the year for the Jets when the normal starting kicker Sam Ficken was placed on the Injured Reserve List. If for whatever reason this game would be close and come down to a game-winning field goal attempt from Castillo. Be nervous if you are a Raiders fan because odds are he will drain it.
The Raiders can’t sleep on Jets cornerback Bryce Hall
The cornerback that shines light in the darkness of the Jets defense. The rookie has registered 14 tackles to date and is a hard hitter. Hall plays with a bit of an old-school style play which is great, if he sees the opportunity, he is not afraid to light someone up.
Let’s backtrack to those 14 tackles, those were just in three games. Hall was out until Week 8, and has already had a game with seven tackles all solo, and one game of six tackles, five of which were solo. Hall will be looking to make his name known, beware of him.
Parting Shots
This game should be a Raiders win any way you look at it. But, you do not want to underestimate a bad team and have them make you look bad in the process.
You May Also Like: Why Aren’t Raiders Using DT Maurice Hurst?
Top Image: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports