We are back at it again with another weekly update to your Las Vegas Raiders Fantasy Football Tracker. We will talk about fantasy performances from last week’s game against the Denver Broncos and make projections for this week’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Fantasy stats from previous games will come from ESPN and all points will be based on standard PPR formats.
2022 Las Vegas Raiders Fantasy Football Tracker
Derek Carr
Last week vs Broncos:Â 188 pass yards, 0 passing touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 2 sacks for -15 yards, 40 rushing yards, 11.52 fantasy points
Season point total: 64.12 (16 ppg)
Analysis
So, Carr runs now? If that trend continues, it could be a huge add to his fantasy value. Unfortunately, the passing numbers were highly disappointing. It was a situation where the ground game was dominating, Davante Adams was being kept in check, and the defense was doing its thing on the other side of the ball. Don’t expect that type of game to become the norm for Carr. He is still a solid QB2.
Projection
Week 5 vs Chiefs (projected): 286 pass yds, 2 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, 18 rushing yds, 2 sacks for -12 yds, 18 pts
Monday Night Football in Arrowhead sounds scary. It could get ugly for Carr and the Raiders. Whether it is close, or Las Vegas is playing from behind, expect Carr to get his usual numbers.
Josh Jacobs
Last week vs Broncos:Â 28 carries, 144 rushing yds, 2 rushing touchdowns, 5 catches, 6 targets, 31 receiving yds, 34.5 pts
Season total: 66.6 (16.7 ppg)
Analysis
The best way to describe Jacobs’s performance was that he went Super Saiyan. His 34.5 points was more than he had put up in the first three weeks combined. The fact that his volume of touches went up wasn’t surprising. The Raiders needed to run more and that has been a good game plan for Denver in the past. However, nobody expected him to pop off the way he did. This offense seems to work well for him. This trend could continue.
Projection
Week 4 vs Broncos (projected): 20 carries, 84 rushing yds, 0 rushing touchdowns, 4 catches, 4 targets, 22 receiving yds, 1 receiving touchdown, 20.6 pts
The Raiders should try to keep the Jacobs momentum going. Unfortunately, Patrick Mahomes taking over the game is inevitable. At some point, the Raiders will have to abandon the run. Nevertheless, Jacobs has incorporated himself into the passing game quite nicely. He should still put up solid numbers. Jacobs remains a high-end RB2
Davante Adams
Last week vs Broncos: 9 catches, 13 targets, 101 receiving yds, 0 receiving touchdowns, 1 carry, 4 rushing yds, 19.5 pts
Season total: 73 (18.3 ppg)
Analysis
Despite a tough matchup with cornerback Patrick Surtain II, Adams had a pretty good game. By his lofty standards, not finding the end zone was a bit disappointing. Regardless, fantasy owners will take 19.5 points every week.
Projection
Week 5 vs Chiefs (projected): 12 catches, 14 targets, 126 receiving yds, 1 receiving touchdown, 30.6 pts
This is Carr’s first opportunity to showcase his connection with Adams in a big prime time game. Expect Adams to get force-fed similarly to the way he was in Week 1. The Raiders will need that connection to be firing on all cylinders to keep up with Kansas City.Â
Hunter Renfrow
Last week vs Broncos: Did not play (concussion)
Season total:Â 16.0 (8.0 ppg)
Analysis
Renfrow was out again last week against Denver. We thought this would mean another good week for Mack Hollins. It didn’t work out that way. Hollins was the team’s second leading receiver, but with just three catches for 33 yards. With things looking up for Renfrow on the injury front, Hollins will likely be back to scrounging for targets.
Projection
Week 5 vs Chiefs (projected): 3 catches, 4 targets, 23 receiving yards, 5.3 pts
Renfrow will probably play to at least some extent. Regardless, don’t expect him to be much more than a decoy as the Raiders try to ease him back. You should keep him on your bench until after the bye. Afterwards, he will be back in the WR3 conversation.
Darren Waller
Last week vs Broncos: 3 catches, 5 targets, 24 receiving yds, 0 receiving touchdowns, 5.4 pts
Season total: 39.5 (9.9 ppg)
Analysis
Another rough fantasy performance for Waller. The only solace that can be taken in this one is that it wasn’t really his fault like it was last week. The Raiders just weren’t airing it out. Nevertheless, Waller has to find a way to get going.
Projection
Week 5 vs Chiefs (projected): 6 catches, 8 targets, 59 receiving yds, 0 receiving touchdown, 19.2 pts
This should be a good week for Waller to get back on track. The Raiders will likely have to throw a lot to keep pace. Despite Adams getting the lion’s share of targets, and Renfrow being back, Waller should still record decent numbers. He is still a quality TE1.
Daniel Carlson
Last week vs Broncos: 4/4 FG, 4<39 yds, 2/3XP, 10 pts
Season Total: 46 (11.5 ppg)
Analysis
Thanks in large part to Denver’s bend-but-don’t-break defense, Carlson had another stellar game. His four field goals were more than enough to make up for that missed extra point. Carlson is currently tied with Younghoe Koo in the fantasy kicking title race.
Projection
Week 5 vs Chiefs (projected): 3/3 FG, 1 <39 yds, 1 40-49 yds, 1 >50 yds, 2/2 XP, 14 pts
The Raiders offense should continue to move the ball well against Kansas City. Until they can prove that they can finish drives, it is safe to project at least three field goals for Carlson. Expect him to sniff around 15 points once again.
Las Vegas Raiders Defense/Special Teams
Last week vs Broncos: 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 touchdown, 23 PA, 299 YA, 13 pts
Season Total:Â 14 (3.5 ppg)
Analysis
Wow. The Raiders actually had a top-five fantasy defense against Denver. It was a great day for the ten people crazy enough to start them. God bless Melvin Gordon.
Projection
Week 5 vs Chiefs (projected): 2 sacks, 31 PA, 365 YA, 0 pts
You can’t play the Broncos every week. There is absolutely no scenario where you should start the Raiders defense this week. Even if you are in some massive 20 or more team league and that is the only defense that you have available, you should just bench them and leave the spot open. This group is more likely to be negative than positive in fantasy this week.
Gamble Ramble: Betting the Raiders in Week 5 Against the Chiefs
*Top Photo: Frank Jansky/Icon Sports Wire via Getty Images