The Raiders head into Sunday’s matchup with the Jets carrying a four-game losing streak, but this trip east gives them a clear chance to steady things. New York sits at 2-5 in Aaron Glenn’s second season and has been shaky on both sides of the ball, which opens the door for Las Vegas to get back to 4-4.
If the Raiders are going to take advantage, they’ll need a few players to deliver. Three names stand out as the ones most likely to make an impact.
One of them is Washington, who could be in line for a heavier workload. Ashton Jeanty has been inefficient running the ball this season, and the Jets’ defense has been vulnerable on the ground, ranking 24th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game.
That sets up a chance for Washington to bring a different look as a runner and create more explosive plays. For a Raiders offense that needs to move the ball and score more often, leaning on Washington makes sense.
On the other side of the ball, Dean should have plenty of chances to influence the game. He has been one of Las Vegas’ best playmakers all season, and the Jets may have trouble establishing the run if Braelon Allen’s ankle injury and Breece Hall’s quad injury limit what they can do.
Allen is expected to play on Sunday, while Hall is listed as questionable. If New York is forced into a more one-dimensional approach, Dean could be in position to control the action.
The Raiders haven’t had a linebacker like Dean in a long time, and this looks like another opportunity for him to show why he’s worth the contract.
Then there’s Cousins, who remains the starter despite all the noise around the quarterback spot in Las Vegas. The Jets are among the top five teams in the league in passing yards allowed, but they haven’t been much of a takeaway defense.
Cousins has put the ball in harm’s way at times this season, yet this isn’t the kind of matchup that should threaten him in that way. If he plays cleanly, he should have a chance to produce and keep Fernando Mendoza on the bench for at least another week.
In Other News...
Raiders Face A Maxx Crosby Decision That Could Split Fans
Maxx Crosby has become the kind of player every franchise wants to keep and every contender would love to pry away, which is why his name is already circulating with the November 10 trade deadline approaching. The Raiders and Crosby are in a better place now than they were during his previous trade request, but the buzz around him has not gone away, and teams around the league are still watching closely.
The obstacle is familiar: Las Vegas is believed to be asking for a massive return, and Crosbys contract situation only adds another layer of complexity. Even with outside interest building, he has made it clear he would prefer to remain with the Raiders, which leaves the team facing a decision that could easily divide its fan base if the phone keeps ringing. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Enter A Crucial Stretch With Three Problems To Watch
With the November 10 trade deadline looming, the Raiders are weighing a few personnel moves that could reshape the roster in a hurry. Kirk Cousins has become part of that conversation, with Las Vegas at least considering the possibility of moving on and turning the offense over to rookie Fernando Mendoza. It is the kind of crossroads decision that can define a stretch run, especially for a team still sorting out where its best long-term answers are on offense.
The ripple effects do not stop there. Rookie Trey Zuhn III is pushing for the starting right guard job, adding another lineup battle to watch as the Raiders try to stabilize the front five. On the other side of the ball, there is also some second-guessing around defensive tackle Jonah Laulu, with questions lingering about whether Las Vegas moved on too quickly instead of exploring trade value first. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Face Key Week 8 Questions After Costly Roster Shuffle
The Raiders head into Week 8 with the kind of housekeeping that usually says as much about a team as the matchup itself. Patrick Johnson and Carter Runyon are out on the injury report for Sundays game against the Jets, while several other players are listed as questionable, leaving Las Vegas to sort through availability as it tries to steady things for a pivotal AFC stretch.
There has also been movement on the roster and around the organization. Las Vegas waived Jonah Laulu and added Bralen Trice to the practice squad, while A.J. Cole was named the teams NFLPA voting representative. Even the broadcast setup is changing, with FOX Sports altering its crew for the game, a small reminder that this week has a little extra churn around a Raiders team still trying to settle its pieces. [Read more 🡒]