The Las Vegas Raiders are currently sitting uncomfortably at 5-8. This makes them third in the AFC West, while also making this weekend’s matchup an interesting one. For starters, both head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler came from the New England Patriots. In a previous preseason matchup in August, the Raiders dominated the Patriots with a 23-6 victory.
In a recent presser earlier this week, Derek Carr said, “I mean, we had a five percent chance last year or whatever it was. So, crazier things have happened. But none of that even matters unless we take care of today and win this week.” The Kansas City Chiefs are sitting quite comfortably up top at 10-3, while the Los Angeles Chargers are just two games ahead at 7-6, which makes the chances for the Raiders to enter the playoffs slim.
The Raiders need a Cinderella repeat from 2021
It’s going to take something like last year’s Cinderella story, where the Raiders made the playoffs with a win against the Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. Hopefully McDaniels, Ziegler, and the rest of the staff can focus on the mistakes that were made last week. Needless to say, preventing something like that from happening again should be a priority. It speaks volumes at the pro football level when a quarterback who was signed and learned the system in two days, such as Baker Mayfield, can do the damage that was done last Thursday.
Going against a winning team that can potentially make the playoffs is going to be a tough feat for the Silver and Black. Carr understands the task at hand. He reiterated that they’re going to have to put in the work this week to come out on top. According to Pro Football Reference, the Patriots are 18th in points for and 5th in points against. Their defense has proven to be pretty tough this season. Suffice it to say that they have managed to hold teams with weaker offenses to low scores.
The game will be an interesting offensive matchup since both teams are ranked within the top 20 in points. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and his defense will be getting a run for their money. Heading into Sunday’s game, they’re ranked 24th out of 32 teams in the NFL. Hopefully, Maxx Crosby and Co. can rally the defense and take advantage of the inexperience of second-year quarterback Mac Jones. “And playing against the Patriots, Bill Belichick, and their staff and all the players that they have, that’s not an easy task,” said Carr in the same presser.
*Top Photo: Official Raiders YouTube Channel