The Las Vegas Raiders have witnessed a roller-coaster campaign, with far more lows than highs. However, now that Josh McDaniels no longer roams the sidelines, and the passionate Antonio Pierce has taken his place, the Silver and Black are once again watchable. Ticket prices for the Sunday Night Football matchup vs. the Jets back up that statement.
Ticket Prices Reflect The Growing Excitement In Las Vegas
Per Vivid Seats, the game ranks as the “second hottest NFL ticket of Week 10” (h/t Paul Gutierrez, ESPN). Going further, early estimates predict that 77 percent of the crowd at Allegiant Stadium will consist of Raider Nation. With an average ticket price of $398, it’s safe to say that, even with the Primetime boost, the fan base is willing to come out and support their squad.
As anyone who has attended a Raiders game since moving to Las Vegas could tell, the opposing fan base often outnumbers the home team fans. That won’t be the case in Week 10 against the New York Jets. The Antonio Pierce effect has taken the reins in Sin City, and for the remainder of 2023, there are no signs of the hysteria slowing up.
It’s hard to blame the locker room or fan base for rallying around Pierce’s player-first coaching approach. He knows how to masterfully toe the line between being a friend and a leader. In doing so, the former Super Bowl champion has undoubtedly gained the trust of the building. Emotions can only fuel victories for a finite amount of time, but that’s a problem for the offseason; it’s not a “now” problem.
Can Raiders Rookie QB Aidan O’Connell Send Fans Home With A Win?
Rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell will be tasked with guiding the Raiders through the rest of their schedule. He’ll need the help of All-Pro talents Davante Adams and Josh Jacobs, along with continued excellence from the defensive side of the ball. If starting left tackle Kolton Miller is ruled out, as is expected, O’Connell might have a long four quarters ahead.
The Jets boast one of the most impactful defensive units in the NFL — if not the most. Quinnen Williams sets the tone in the middle of the New York defense, while Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed lock down any threats on the boundary. That allows the pass rushers to pick up the scraps by consistently adding pressure anytime a quarterback takes a dropback.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh is a defensive specialist, so this success shouldn’t come as a surprise. Scoring won’t be easy for the Raiders this Sunday evening, but there is a chance Vegas will only need a couple of touchdowns to secure victory. As good as New York is on defense, they’re equally shaky on offense.
The Silver And Black Defense Has A Chance To Torment Zach Wilson On National Television
Quarterback Zach Wilson, a former No. 2 overall selection, is still atop the depth chart. He replaced future Hall of Fame signal-caller Aaron Rodgers after the veteran tore his Achilles only a few snaps into his debut campaign in the Big Apple. In Rodgers’ absence, Wilson is playing well enough to keep the roster afloat, but not in dominant fashion.
The BYU product scored 20-13-6 in the past three contests, and the Raiders will hope this trend extends to a fourth disappointing showing in a row. Patrick Graham has the Vegas defense humming the last few weeks — and really most of the regular season. We’ll see if they can keep their foot on the gas pedal.
Thankfully, the Raiders will have plenty of energy to feed off at Allegiant Stadium. Over three-fourths of the crowd will be rocking the Silver and Black — here’s to hoping they get a worthwhile showing on the field.
*Top Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA TODAY Sports
