Are you ready for game-day, Raider Nation? Tonight’s Monday Night Football contest will pin the Las Vegas Raiders against the Atlanta Faclons at Allegiant Stadium. Desmond Ridder, Sin City’s third starting quarterback this season, will have a chance to get revenge against the team who selected him in the 2022 NFL Draft prior to trading him to the Arizona Cardinals this past summer.
But do the Raiders have the man-power to rally behind their new starting signal caller?
It will certainly be a difficult task with Maxx Crosby sidelined for the remainder of the season. The good news, however, is edge rushers K’Lavon Chaisson and Tyree Wilson have each been able to showcase their improvements this season; albeit that’s much easier to do when playing alongside an All-Pro pass-rusher such as Crosby.
Luckily, the team’s offensive pieces are all available for Ridder tonight.
Brock Bowers, Las Vegas’ superstar tight end, is ready to continue his journey to own each and every rookie record at his position. Currently, the Georgia alum stands 143 receiving yards shy of totaling more yards through the air than any rookie tight end throughout NFL history.
Thanks to his efforts this past week, Bowers now has more catches (87) than any first-year tight end has ever recorded. More than that, he stands only 19 catches away from breaking the rookie catch record of 105, regardless of position. The 22-year-old is also 30 receptions away from owning the record for most catches by a tight end in any year of their career.
Jakobi Meyers will be available as well. Although Meyers’ name-value has taken a backseat to Bowers’, the second-year Raiders receiver is as reliable as they come. Since Week 5, only one contest has gone by where Meyers didn’t record at least six catches.
Las Vegas Raiders vs Atlanta Falcons Week 15: Predictions
Mario Tovar (@TheTovarMario_)
There’s a lot riding on Monday night’s clash between the Raiders and the Falcons. Look, the season’s over for the Silver and Black, figuratively speaking as there’s still a few games left. However, one thing left for the Raiders locker room to play for is pride—those players aren’t concerned with draft position, especially not when many of them may not even be on the team past this season. Pride, it’s a tricky thing. Speaking of which, Desmond Ridder more than anyone on the Raiders wants to beat Atlanta; call it a matter of principle.
In terms of a prediction, expect Brock Bowers to go off and grab a pair of touchdowns—which could be enough to win on Monday.
Score: 21-17, Las Vegas Raiders
Trevis Dampier Jr. (@trevisjay_)
This Monday night matchup will be one Raider fans hope they can forget about. With no Maxx Crosby, there will be minimal pressure put on the Falcons’ passing game. K’Lavon Chaisson will step up with contributions. Desmond Ridder will show flashes of great passing ability but it will not be enough.
Score: 27-13, Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons aren’t good enough to easily handle the Raiders, but the Raiders aren’t good enough to pull off a victory. Desmond Ridder’s revenge game falls flat and the Raiders lose another heartbreaker.
Can Desmond Ridder lead Sin City to their first win since Week 4?
Alex Monfreda (@AlexMonfreda)
Monday night’s contest is a battle between two clubs that, simply put, don’t know what it means to stop their opponent’s passing game. With 24 passing touchdowns allowed on the season, only two teams league-wide entered Week 15 surrendering more touchdowns through the air than the Raiders. The Falcons, as it just so happens, are one of those two teams; their 26 allowed passing touchdowns tie for most across the NFL entering this week.
Score: 23-20, Las Vegas Raiders