The Las Vegas Raiders are looking to extend their winning ways in Week 12 as they hit the road. Awaiting them is one of the most surprising teams this year: Pete Carroll’s Seattle Seahawks. The matchups are set, so let’s take a look at some last-minute predictions.
Seahawks will hold Josh Jacobs to under 100 yards rushing
Jacobs is coming off a Week 11 encounter where he eclipsed the century mark against the vaunted Denver Broncos defense. While the Seahawks are giving up 4.6 yards per rushing attempt, they’re coming off a bye, which has given more than enough time to gameplan for Jacobs.
No. 28 being unable to go over 100 yards will have more to do with the Raiders needing to throw the ball than his shortcomings. Prior to last week’s game, where Jacobs totaled 24 attempts, he had been on a downturn in terms of usage. In fact, in the last three games prior to Week 11, Jacobs amassed 48 carries. He had 69 the three previous times. Look for JJ28 to reach the end zone at least once; he’ll still find a way to make an impact today.
The Raiders will be held to under 21 points total
The Raiders’ offense has been an enigma. At times, it looks special; other times, it’s a mess. A lot of that falls on head coach Josh McDaniels. The fact is, his play-calling has been to the detriment of this team at times. Since the team’s victory against the Houston Texans (38 points scored), McDaniels’ offense has only mustered more than 22 points just once, including the humiliating shutout loss in Week 8. The Seahawks’ scoring defense is 19th in the NFL, but the Raiders have proven to consistently play below their competition. Look for the Raiders to score a pair of touchdowns and a couple of field goals in this one.
Tariq Woolen will pick off Raiders QB Derek Carr at least once
Woolen picking off Carr is a matter of percentages, or rather, the fact that No. 4 will be looking to Davante Adams early and often. Adams has 27 total targets in the last two contests; sooner or later, he’s going to be off the mark. Woolen is a physical and tall cornerback; you can expect him to be all over No. 17 in this one. While Adams will surely get his, so will Woolen. One slight underthrow, and Woolen will make Carr pay on Sunday. He just needs one.
100-plus receiving yards for Seahawks WR D.K. MetcalfÂ
Regardless of who covers Metcalf at any given time, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound behemoth is going to surpass the century mark. The Raiders don’t have any physical corners that can keep up with him for all 60 minutes. Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Metcalf averaged nearly 12 yards per reception (11.83). Considering that Patrick Graham’s defense is giving up more than 10 yards per completion right now (10.2), you can bet Metcalf is primed for a big game.
Maxx Crosby adds two sacks to his season total
The Raiders’ defense as a whole dialed up the pressure against Russell Wilson and the Broncos last weekend. Obviously, they need to do the same against Geno Smith to have a chance. In a game that will define whether the Raiders are about to go on a run or chalk up the 2022 season as a wash, Crosby will show up (as always). Look for Crosby to continue his tear and pressure the Seahawks’ offense all game long.
*Top Photo: Official Raiders YouTube Channel
