Welcome back, Raider Nation. It is time to get ready for another Las Vegas Raiders game.
As always, this is your one-stop shop for injury updates, fantasy advice, gambling picks and everything else you need before kickoff. Let’s get started.
Vibes
The vibes are strange this week. The Raiders remain a mess, and they may be without their starting quarterback. Oddly enough, that might not be the worst development. Still, it raises an uncomfortable question: if Kenny Pickett plays well, does that help a team that may be better served thinking long term?
The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles are hardly stable themselves. Philadelphia is coming off a Monday night loss to the Chargers in which Jalen Hurts turned the ball over five times, including two on the same play. At 8-5, the Eagles feel closer to internal unrest than dominance. The Raiders, in that sense, are the ideal opponent for a potential get-right game.
Injury News
The Raiders’ Friday injury report revealed important updates. Quarterback Geno Smith is out due to a shoulder injury, which paves the way for Kenny Pickett to start. Whether Pickett will be an improvement remains uncertain, even with low expectations in place.
There was better news up front. Left tackle Kolton Miller is expected to return, a development that at least stabilizes the line and sends Stone Forsythe back to the bench.
Philadelphia will also be shorthanded. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter and offensive tackle Lane Johnson are both out. Carter’s absence is a major blow to a defensive front that has struggled recently. Johnson being sidelined could be just as costly, creating opportunities for Maxx Crosby to disrupt the Eagles’ backfield throughout the game.
Fantasy Focus
With most fantasy leagues now in the playoff stage, every lineup decision carries added weight. Precision matters.
Running backs Ashton Jeanty and Saquon Barkley are must-starts. The same applies to Raiders tight end Brock Bowers. Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert is a viable option, but he remains boom-or-bust and carries more risk than upside.
Among fringe plays, A.J. Brown should see enough volume to warrant a start. DeVonta Smith, however, is best left on the bench, as is Tre Tucker. Both have been too inconsistent in their target shares to trust in a playoff matchup. To round it out, the Eagles defense is an excellent start against the Raiders’ struggling offense.
Gambling Corner
The Raiders may be worth a look at +12.5 this week. While a blowout remains possible, Philadelphia has lost three straight and has not won a game by double digits since October.
Along with taking the points, the over at 38.5 also stands out. This game should push past 40 total points. For player props, Brock Bowers to score at +250 offers strong value for a team’s top offensive weapon. He has found the end zone three times over the last two weeks.
Expectations
Raider Nation should expect to be one step closer to the No. 1 overall pick this week. That is largely the reality facing Las Vegas.
There is little chance the Raiders win this game, and even less to gain if they somehow do. The primary objective now is evaluation. The hope is that the team’s young core continues to make strides, shows competitiveness, and provides clarity about who belongs in the long-term plans.
Final Prediction: Raiders 17, Eagles 26
*Top Photo: Getty Images