Tag: Chiefs

The Raiders have one job this week. Win at all costs.

Last time we saw the Raiders, they fell to the Chiefs by more than 30 points. They got no sacks and couldn’t rush for over 40 yards or pass for over 100 yards. Kansas City was literally taking shots during the blowout. It was an embarrassing loss for a team that has had plenty of shame held over it the last twenty years.

Jacksonville is their own scrap heap. One week the Jaguars look like a playoff contender, the next week they get dog raced. For instance, they beat the Chiefs, 49ers and Texans early in the year. They lost to the Rams and Seahawks in their last two games.

Vegas is coming off a Bye Week and they will be at home. Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers are both back too. Meyers is playing to get traded. There is no reason they can’t catch the Jaguars slipping.

Trevor Lawrence leads the league in turnovers since he entered the league. The Silver and Black need to force him into mistakes with constant pressure. Jacksonville’s defense has playmakers with Brian Thomas Jr., Travis Hunter and Travis Etienne. Hunter cooked with them against the Rams. Thomas is trying to get back on his path from last season. Vegas needs to play discipline and not allow explosive plays and they need to create turnovers.

The Rams did an excellent job creating pressure versus the Jaguars with over 6 sacks. Vegas needs a similar impact. It’s got to come from someone other than Maxx Crosby. Adam Butler, Jonah Laulu, Malcolm Koonce and Tyree Wilson have all had moments. Vegas needs someone to step up and provide consistent pressure, not one off pressure.

Side bar, Devin White has had a resurgent year after the Texans and Eagles left him for dead. Jamal Adams also got a sack last week after taking over for Germain Pratt. I hate to see this Raiders defense waste their presence at linebacker with weak secondary play and average defensive line play.

Offensively, the Raiders just need to show some life. Run the offense around Ashton Jeanty, that’s why you took him high in the first round and over a quarterback. Create big plays with Tre Tucker. And where has Dont’e Thornton been? For all the offseason hype, he’s been absent from the gameplan.

I know they want to sprinkle some veteran Tyler Lockett in. They just signed him, he has rapport with Geno and Pete Carroll from Seattle. However, he’s old, off-injured and borderline washed. That’s why Tennessee cut him after only a few games.

Beyond that, Meyers and Bowers should hep the Raiders stay in front of the chains. Unfortunately, they don’t really have a competent offensive line. Since Kolton Miller went down, they don’t really have any one they can count on upfront. Jackson Powers-Johnson should be that guy but they are so committed to making him a center over a guard. Caleb Rogers and Alex Cappa haven’t done much despite being coveted offseason additions. Dylan Parham and DJ Glaze aren’t terrible but I think both could be better at different positions.

Regardless, Geno Smith needs help from his offensive line. The Jaguars defensive line has high end athletes like Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen on the outside. They got established vets like Arik Armstead and Emmanuel Ogbah providing versatility and experience. Davon Hamilton is stout in the middle. Vegas will have a tough challenge upfront.

If the Raiders offense can show some life off great play from their offensive line, they got a chance. If they play bad, I’m not sure what the bottom is for this team? We should have reached it versus the Colts or Chiefs but Vegas is adamant on sticking with Geno. We’ve seen them move on from coaches quick, but they respect Pete Carroll too much. At the very least, a blowout loss here means Vegas has to blow it up by benching Geno and moving every one with value. A win here means they can keep pushing towards mediocrity and a respectable .500 record.

Beat the Chiefs and Vegas Wins

Everyone says the Raiders usually give the Chiefs one tough game a year. Last year, both games came down to one score — Vegas upset the Chiefs in 2023 and nearly did in 2022. Vegas already dropped their first AFC West matchup to the Los Angeles Chargers. Nobody wants to start the division schedule 0-2.

A win here would give the Raiders a lot of momentum. It won’t be easy. The Chiefs are getting healthy. Rashee Rice is expected to play, along with Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy. This will be the first game of the season where the Chiefs have their full slate of receiving targets. The Raiders’ corners are already suspect. Kansas City’s speed on the outside is a nightmare matchup for Vegas. They can’t afford to give up big plays or pile on penalties.

Pat Mahomes already looks back in MVP form this season. The Chiefs are relying on him to get the ball out quick. They also have former Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce on staff. It would be nice to go home with a victory here.

I was fortunate to see their second win of the season last week in Vegas. Let’s hope that’s not the last one this year. It was great to see the Raiders keep Cam Ward contained. They dominated Tennessee so badly that the Titans fired their coach after the loss. At the end of the day, Raiders fans were just glad we’re not that bad.

Last week, the Raiders gave up a couple of sacks — one to interior lineman Jeffrey Simmons. Now they face another big test against Chris Jones. We know what he can do.

The silver and black did manage to register five sacks of their own. Maxx Crosby had two, while Devin White added a sack and an interception. Vegas needs both of those guys to dominate again. The team must execute collectively, and their stars need to make plays and force turnovers. That’s the only way you beat a Chiefs team more talented than you.

Offensively, it was encouraging to see the Raiders stick with Ashton Jeanty in the run game. It wasn’t super effective, but they stayed committed. Vegas also did a good job spreading the ball around. Tre Tucker made a couple of big plays, while Jakobi Meyers and Michael Mayer were active in the intermediate game. Brock Bowers is out again, so expect much of the same formula. The Raiders need to protect the football and get their run game going against Kansas City. Jeanty and the ground attack will help keep the Chiefs’ offense off the field, and it will make the passing game more effective if they avoid third-and-longs.

At the end of the day, the Raiders hired Pete Carroll to keep them competitive in these division games. It doesn’t take rocket science. To beat the Chiefs, the defense has to be disciplined and create turnovers. Offensively, they need to control the clock and find ways to make big plays. No one expects much from the Raiders — and that’s for good reason — but that could all change if they find a way to win today.

How the Raiders can have Better Luck in Florida

The Raiders pissed down their own leg on Black Friday. They literally fumbled the bag on the last play of what should have been an upset win. Instead, they went home with buyers’ remorse.

Antonio Pierce might have been right when he said this team is allergic to winning. Unfortunately, that might not save his job. At the very least, the team showed up and competed on the special edition broadcast.

Vegas finally cracked 100 rushing yards. They honestly should have given the ball to Sincere McCormick more. Aidan O’Connell threw two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Tre Tucker made a big deep catch. Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers were consistent. Meyers flirted with 100 receiving yards while Bowers racked up 10 catches for 140 yards and a touchdown. This felt llike the first time the Raiders offense showed life in weeks. Yet, they left too many points on the board. Chris Jones’ two sacks were also a huge difference-maker.

Defensively, the four sacks were crucial. Mahomes only threw one TD and registered 20 incompletions. No player caught more than 100 receiving yards. Kansas City did not have a hundred-yard rusher. You can’t ask for a better game from the Raiders. They kept the offense off the field. K’Lavon Chaisson resurged with 1.5 sacks. Let’s see if he can help them again versus better tackles this week.

The Raiders don’t need any moral victories or help securing a draft pick. They need to reverse their losing culture.

Now, they travel to the East Coast. Tampa Bay features a top-ten passing and rushing offense. Running back Rachaad White and tight end Cade Otton offer tough match ups the Raiders coverage. Mike Evans is a living legend at receiver, Baker Mayfield has played hero versus us before and receiver Jalen McMillan had had flashes. This game could get ugly fast, especially if the Raiders come out flat. You remember the stinker they played versus the Dolphins the last time they went to Florida.

Linebacker Yaya Diaby, DB Antoine Winfield Jr. and defensive lineman Vita Vea give the Buccaneers a playmaker at each level of the defense. The Raiders offensive line had one of its best week, minus the last offensive play. Hopefully, they can carry that momentum.

The game plan should remain the same. Vegas needs to convert some big plays in the air. The Raiders need to control the clock with their running game. Ride Sincere and Abdullah. Some more help from special teams, again, would be be great. Keeping Baker Mayfield uncomfortable and forcing him into turnovers helps too.

Even if the Raiders should play for a draft pick, Raiders fans deserve a victory Monday. No let downs or blow outs this week. Execution is key for the Raiders to compete today.

Leave it all out there versus the Chiefs

There is not a lot to be grateful for this year as a Raiders fan. The Raiders came out and competed last week. They still came up short versus the Broncos. They lost their QB and their biggest plays came on special teams.

Regardless, they have nothing to lose this week versus the Chiefs. It is the best team versus the worst team. Aiden O’Connell is back.

I promise you, Antonio Pierce won’t keep his job if he goes winless in the AFC West. He has two more division games left and this one is on the road.

The Raiders need to pull out every trick play. They need some turnovers and bounces to go their way. We know they are going to force the ball to Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers. They need to find ways to run the ball and control the clock.

Vegas beat this team in Kansas City last year. That was a fifferent team no matter how much broadcast brings it up. They need to leave it out on the field to do it this year.

How to beat the Bengals

The Raiders lost another close game that could have easily been much worse. Yes, they picked off Pat Mahomes but there wasn’t much else for good news.

Still, it was great to see the Raiders play with pride after a tough loss the week prior. It seems like the locker room is still responding to head coach Antonio Pierce. Of course, that could easily change if they don’t generat offense soon.

Vegas failed to establish the tun. Neither Zamir White nor Alexander Mattison could average more than a yard per carry. Vegas did get the ball to Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers. Both caught more than 5 catches.

Vegas will start rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson at center this week since Andre James is out. He should add some surge at the point of attack for the run game. Dylan Parham is questionable to play. That could hamper the running game more.

The Raiders also gave up five sacks last week. They can’t do that this week versus the Bengals. Cincinnati is among the league’s worst at sacking the QB. Kansas City was in a similar spot before breaking out versus the Raiders last week. This Bengals veteran defensive line is quick and stout.

Vegas’ offensive line and running game needs to perform better if they want to control games. Cincinnati is desperate to string together wins. Otherwise, they will fall too far behind the pack in the AFC North.

Luckily, Bengals receiver Tee Higgins will be out with injury. The Bengals have not been great on the run either. Their defense has also taken a step back.

Regardless, Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase has the size and speed to give the Raiders problems all day. Cincinnati QB Joe Burrow is a threat over the top and he is sneaky with his rushing ability. We know the Raiders can’t cover tight ends and Bengals TE Mike Gesicki is a sleeper.

Raiders edge Tyree Wilson finally got into the sack column last week. Wilson needs to keep developing. Maxx Crosby will be back this week. They will have their work cutout versus a mobile Burrow and an improved offensive line. Cincinnati is in the middle of the pack for sacks allowed. The Bengals will be down starter Orlando Brown at left tackle. Their right tackle is also a rookie.

In the end, the Raiders need to get after the quarterback, limit big plays in the pass game and stay disciple against the run. Last week, a turnover kept them in the game. They can do it again this week.

Offensively, it would be great for the Raiders to get the running game going. We would all love a pass play for more than ten yards too. I am not sure if this offense is capable of either, but they need to show some progress soon. It would not surprise me if they move on from OC Luke Getsy if the offense struggles. The Raiders need to show some offensive progress headed into the Bye Week.

The Raiders could play the Bengals tight as they did the Chiefs and Rams. They could suffer a let down like they did versus the Broncos and Panthers. We won’t know, especially in an early game outside.

Vegas could be only a few big plays from losing bad. They could also dominate a team that is struggling across the board.

Again, the Raiders need to play their brand of football. Run the ball, push the ball down the field, take advantage of turnovers and don’t allow any big plays. Let’s just stop the bleeding and get a win.

Ending 2023 with a Bang and Our Favorite Christmas gift

Santa delivered Raider Nation a win over the Chiefs. Some could say the Raiders stole a win like the Grinch in Kansas City too. Either way, it was a statement win this team needed.

The victory was far from perfect but the Raiders did what they had to. Maxx Crosby didn’t have a sack but Malcolm Koonce broke out with three sacks of his own. The defense scored two touchdowns on a day when the offense completed less than 50 percent of their passes. Davante Adams finished with less than ten receiving yards but Zamir White rushed for over 145 yards, including averaging more than 6 yards per carry.

The Raiders have great odds of making the postseason if they win out. It’s hard to deny Antonio Pierce the full time head coaching position if he can finish the year with four straight wins, including decisive wins over the entire AFC West. That’s what they can do if they win this game and beat the Broncos last week.

A lot of folks also like this team’s defensive identity much more than the team that made the Wild Card round a few seasons ago under Rich Bisaccia. Nonetheless, they’ll need to show a little more offense this week versus the Colts. Their defense run game is not going to get overlooked or slip thru the cracks anymore.

Still, the job isn’t done. We’ve seen previous Raiders teams blow it in these spots. The Raiders also narrowly defeated the Colts late last season. They were blown out the season before in Indy.

Now, Vegas needs to go into Indianapolis for an early game. The Colts are still alive in the Wild Card race and they are fighting for their division title. Michael Pittman Jr. is expected to return a week after missing the last game due to concussion protocol. Jonathan Taylor is also making his second consecutive start after missing some time with injury. Both are more explosive than the backfield or receiving options the Raiders faced last week.

This Raiders defense will be tasked with not giving up any big plays like they did last week. No let downs against Gardner Mishnew, a week after making Patrick Mahomes look pedestrian. They are also going to need to be discipline and to make tackles. Taylor can easily take one to the house.

Additionally, the offensive line must take on DeForest Buckner. Last week, Chris Jones was extra disruptive in the first half. The Raiders did a better job on him in the second half as the running game started to ware down the Chiefs defense. Buckner is similar player but he plays with more strength and is better inside. The Raiders interior offensive line needs to show up Sunday. They can’t gift the Colts defense any penalties either.

Additionally, the Raiders need to get the ball to Davante Adams. Expect Indianapolis to load the box. White won’t get the benefit of the doubt as teams saw what he can do last week. He’ll have to do it against more loaded boxes if the Raiders can’t move the ball in the air.

Therefore, the Raiders need to stick to their identity. Run the ball, make some plays on defense and convert a few big plays in the air. Doing that should be enough to beat a Colts team that has had their own share of adversity this season. It also gives them a shot at controlling their own destiny with a win over Denver next week.

As far as we are concerned, the Raiders postseason began a few weeks ago. This game is a must-win as was the last game and the next game will be too. It’s up to Pierce to make sure the team has no let downs off a huge division win. They got to keep the momentum rolling on a short week versus a team with just as much to play for and just as much adversity to overcome.

Quick Thoughts from Beating the Bolts and Facing the Chiefs

Raiders fans have reasons to celebrate any time the Raiders beat the Chargers. Beating them decisively, ending their season and getting their coach fired helps too. It’s especially great because the Raiders have been on the other side of those ass whoppings. Vegas also gets points for doing it on national TV, without running back Josh Jacobs.

Moving forward, the Raiders have a chance at the playoffs if they win out. They will need a Christmas miracle versus a Chiefs team that has lost two of four since beating the Raiders last month. Worse off, the Raiders came out swinging in that game but only scored three points in the second half. Kansas City came back and won decisively.

Vegas will also be without Josh Jacobs today. Jacobs scored one of his best touchdown runs versus the Chiefs when they played a few weeks ago.

Overall, Vegas was efficient on offense. They spread the ball around and didn’t turn it over. The Raiders just could not convert in big spots. The defense also had no answer for the Chiefs in the second half. They stopped the run but struggled in coverage and tackling. Vegas needed more pressure. That is not all on Marcus Peters, who is no longer with the team.

Vegas needs a similar outing this week. Aiden O’Connell needs to be efficient again. They need to get the ball to Davante Adams early and often. White needs to get in a rhythm as he will make his second start. Michael Mayer needs to come up in the red zone. Hunter Renfrow and Jakobi Meyers need to help move the sticks on third downs.

The defense needs to make plays again. Malcolm Koonce broke out with two sacks and Jerry Tillery got a sack versus his old team. The Raiders need both of them to show up again. Maxx Crosby should be back to his usual self with some added rest. Crosby was banged up when the played the Chiefs last but he still registered a sack. An interception or fumble from the secondary would help too.

Even with a well executed game plan, the Raiders could easily lose this game. The Chiefs are that good. They need a statement win to give them some momentum headed into the last two weeks and playoffs. Eliminating the Raiders from playoff talks could be great for them proving their dominance again.

Vegas interim head coach Antonio Pierce needs to prove he learned from the first matchup. He can’t have the team coming out flat like they have at times this year. Pierce needs to show he can make halftime adjustments, regardless what happens in the first half. It will be hard for the Raiders to not keep Pierce if he beats the Chiefs and this team wills it’s way into the playoffs.

Either way, he’s coaching for his job in Vegas and beyond. Pierce has done enough to show he belongs as coach but he needs to show he can beat the whole division if he wants to be the long term leader. He needs to show he can win a game he should lose. The good thing is, he beat the Chargers and has a chance to beat the Chiefs before playing the Colts next week and the Broncos in the final game. Both Denver and Indianapolis have postseason considerations to play for. They need some help as do the Raiders but the point is the games matter.

Wins and losses will matter for Pierce’s future as well as the direction of this team. Hopefully, he and Santa can deliver a win over the Chiefs.

Bye Week Blues After the Chiefs and How to Spoil Justin Jefferson’s Return

There’s a lot of talk about Antonio Pierce assuming the permanent head coach position. Pierce has the team coming out strong but he needs to do more after halftime before he really earns that job. Vegas hasn’t exactly beat a team they weren’t supposed to since he took the reins.

At 5-7, the Raiders exit their Bye Week at last in the AFC West. They also trail the Bills, Bengals, Browns, Steelers, Texans, Colts and Broncos for the three AFC Wild Card slots. Sunday versus the Vikings is a must win to keep any of those playoff hopes alive.

The Vegas Raiders came out hot versus the Chiefs in Week 12. Their 14-point lead early in the second quarter didn’t help them as they were outscored 31-3 after that.

Afterwards, player like Amik Robertson expressed their frustration. Robertson said he thought the were better than the Chiefs but they did not execute. Vegas gave up ten points in the final quarter and didn’t score anything.

Veteran corner Marcus Peters was cut. He was benched before halftime. It looked like the decision to let him go was made at halftime. There are plenty of memes about his tackling and effort. However, you can’t make him the scapegoat. He was tuned in with them team and helped them play with swagger. The secondary did not play better when he sat. We will see how they do without the veteran this week.

Josh Jacobs came out strong with a 63-yard touchdown versus Kansas City. Jacobs had one of his best games of the season with 110 rushing yards on 20 carries. Vegas’ offensive line looked better. The line didn’t dominate in the run but they did just enough to get a body on a body. They also only allowed one sack to the Chiefs.

The Raiders really got the ball to their playmakers. Davante Adams had 5 catches for 73 yards. Jakobi Meyers registered 79 receiving yards for one touchdown. Hunter Renfrow added 4 catches for 38 receiving yards. They just didn’t always execute when they needed it most.

Maxx Crosby wasn’t supposed to play. However, he came up with a sack. The team didn’t look the same when he wasn’t on the field.

Turnovers have been huge for the Raiders this year, but the group failed to create one versus the Chiefs. The inconsistent pass rush deserves some blame for that.

Vegas’ pass rush must be at its best this week versus Minnesota. Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson is back from IR. Jefferson has been practicing with the team for a couple of weeks since Minnesota is also off a Bye Week. The Silver and Black secondary will need all the help they can get from their pass rush, no matter how rusty Jefferson comes out.

Not to mention, Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs is a dual-threat. He’s cooled off since starting hot after Minnesota traded for him from Arizona. Dobbs still has 400 rushing, including 29 first downs. He’s also thrown for 2,400 passing yards, 13 sacks and 10 interceptions. The Raiders will need to stay discipline versus the Vikings as they look to contain Dobbs and Jefferson.

The Raiders need to stick to their script. Vegas needs to control the clock by establishing the run with Jacobs early and often. They need to keep spreading the ball around. Hopefully, an extra week of preparation gets rookie QB Aiden O’Connell more in sync with his veteran receivers. O’Connell has missed a few game changing shots over the past few starts. Vegas is going to need one of those, particularly if they Jefferson tears them up.

Defensively, the Raiders have to count on Crosby getting home. They also need someone else to get home. This should force Dobbs into making a mistake. The Raiders secondary also needs to come up with a turnover to keep this game in reach.

Moreover, the Raiders need to contain TJ Hockenson in the middle of the field. Hockenson is a big and physical target who can give the Raiders problem in the short and intermediate game.

Minnesota should also look to establish the run with Alexander Mattison. Vegas needs to tackle well this week.

On defense, the Raiders must fear Danielle Hunter off the edge. He is among the league’s elite pass rushers with 13.5 sacks this season. MOtherwise, this Vikings front seven has faced injuries with edge Marcus Davenport and linebacker Jordan Hicks on IR currently.

The Raiders offense faces a winnable matchup. Nonetheless, Minnesota has enough playmakers to keep them in the game. innesota’s defense features Harrison Smith, who is still among the league’s best hybrid safeties. Rookie Ivan Pace plays all over the field. Byron Murphy has three interceptions this season.

Overall, it’s a home game and the Raiders desperately need a win. Pierce must have his team come out with urgency but he also needs to be able to adjust no matter what happens. This could be an easy win, a last team standing defensive match, a sloppy close out or an offensive shootout. Either way, the Raiders need to just win, baby.

Look for the Raiders to run the ball and take some selective shots in the pass game on offense. They must rush the passer, tackle well and create a turnover or two on defense. If they can do that, they should squeeze out a home victory. A win here will keep Pierce in the long-term coaching conversation too.

Beat the Chiefs and Thoughts from Miami

The Raiders last beat the Chiefs in October 2020. Before that, they last beat them in October 2017. Therefore, Vegas is due an upset over their AFC West rival.

Kansas City is off a close loss to the Eagles on Monday Night. They were a few drops away from really making that game a blowout. Philadelphia showed you can beat Kansas City with consistent play from your running game and front seven. The Raiders should expect Kansas City to come out focused on execution this week.

Still, Kansas City narrowly escaped the Dolphins the week prior to playing Philly. They also lost by two scores to the Denver Broncos. The Chiefs are beatable if the Raiders play their game.

Last week, the Raiders fought hard versus a more talented Dolphins team. Per usual, they had no answer for Tyreek Hill. Hill left the game midway with injury and still finished with way over 100 yards receiving.

The Raiders defense still made enough plays and created enough turnovers to keep the team in reach. They needed more from their pass rush as far as sacks but they did a good job finding ways to get off the field on tough spots.

Unfortunately, Aiden O’Connell missed on a few shots that would’ve changed the game. He also threw three interceptions. O’Connell can’t afford another week like that.

Still, The Raiders also gave up on the run too early. They were trying to get Davante Adams engaged early. But they should’ve stuck with the run, particularly with left tackle Kolton Miller out. It only takes one big dash from Josh Jacobs and his entire yards per carry would have went up. That’s what’s crazy about yards per carry

Miller along with guard Dylan Parham are listed as questionable versus Kansas City. The Raiders will need to establish the run to control the clock and keep the Chiefs offense off the field. That’s hard to do if the Raiders get down big early. A few turnovers from the Raiders defense should also help negate any big plays from the Chiefs.

Maxx Crosby was listed as doubtful but he’s expected to play. The Raiders will need his pass rush versus Pat Mahomes and the Chiefs. Vegas needs someone else to step up and make some plays too. Tyree Wilson could be an x-factor this week. Either way, the interior lineman must be stout against the run too. Kansas City is too hard to beat when their running backs are engaged and clicking.

The Chiefs can get away from their run game. However, I expect them to rely on that given their receivers deficiencies. Regardless, we know Travis Kelce is a problem. The Raiders linebacker corps has dealt with injuries all season. They will be on notice. Hopefully safety Trevon Moehrig can play as the Raiders will need his help over the top.

A lot of people hope Vegas will sign All-Pro LB Darius Leonard after he was released by the Colts. Leonard makes a lot of sense as he can really play any of the linebacker spots. He’s a ball hawk, tackle machine and turnover creator. Leonard would fit nice to Spillane and the Raiders bulky interior front. Only issue is Leonard has dealt with injuries and inconsistent playing time over the last three seasons. It would still be cool if Vegas had him in this game for support in the middle.

Ultimately, the Raiders got to get the best out of what they have on their roster. They need to execute to the best of their ability to even have a chance in this game. Moreover, their best chance will come from sticking to their game plan.

The game plan needs to revolve around establishing the run and helping O’Connell find a rhythm with some easy passes. Vegas can not afford to not capitalize on good field positions or turnovers again. They need to run the ball on the first two downs to setup east third down conversions. Then they can mix in the deep shots to keep the defense honest.

On defense, they need to stay the course and play discipline versus the run. They need to find ways to pressure the quarterback and create some turnovers. Vegas has been able to do that in key spots this year. Most of all, they can’t get rattled if they give up a big play. They must have a bend don’t break mentality.

A loss here will bury the Raiders deeper in the AFC Wild Card race. Regardless, this home game versus a stronger opponent should tell us what we need to know about this Raiders team and head coach Antonio Pierce. Any one can coach when the team is winning. But how do you bounce back after a tough road loss? Will guys still respond and stick to the plan? What energy will they bring to their home field versus a rival that features a more talented roster?

If Vegas can pull out a win here, Pierce has a really strong case to keep his job. A loss wouldn’t mean a final verdict. However, it’s more important the Raiders keep their swagger and identify regardless if they win or lose.

Nonetheless, nobody wants silver linings. Raider Nation wants to beat the Chiefs. They want to stay in the playoff race. Let’s see if the Raiders can deliver. Just Win Baby!

Raiders vs Texans: What we learned from the MNF loss, how to beat Houston and more from the Bye

Bye Week Blues

Every bye week comes and it brings ambitious of catching up on a bunch of articles. Instead, I didn’t finish my separate film article. I’m combining both columns into this week’s preview versus the Texans.

The Bye week always brings a great time to pause and rest as well as reevaluate and reassess. It’s the same thing for the players. Was a week off enough for the Raiders to show fresh legs and adjustments after the Bye Week? Or will we again see an inconsistent Raiders team that is still trying to establish an identity?

Here’s what we learned from the Raiders OL and DL before the Bye Week as well as what we need to do to beat the Texans today.

What Raiders team shows up?

The Raiders got five games to show their heart. They received a bye week to recover from underachieving. How will this team bounce back versus a Houston Texans team with the same number of wins and equal amounts of one-point loses? The Texans aren’t the most talented team but they’re filled with veterans who play hard and young players who are not afraid.

Houston has been floundering since they fired Bill O’Brien a few years ago. His Patriots style and influence ring over the Texans. The Raiders have slowly retooled their roster with Patriots influence since hiring Josh McDaniels.

Houston could be a problem

Lovie Smith picked up the Texans after David Culley was fired after a 4-13 season. Smith is a highly respected coach. He was the defensive coordinator of one NFC Champion Rams and the head coach for the last Bears team that lost the Super Bowl to the Colts. Yet, his legacy as the Texans coach might always be as the one who took over after DeShaun Watson was finally traded.

Vegas needs to stop the bleeding with a win. After this game, the Raiders move on to the easiest part of the schedule. They’ve proven they can play with every team in their division, including the Chiefs.

However, they still need to prove they can play a full four quarters of great football through all three phases of the game. That excuse has been stale for Raiders fans who have watched this for the better part of 20 years. Many great players wore Silver and Black but never sniffed postseason success. Don’t let this team continue disappointing with second half collapses or slow starts.

The Raiders should win this game but the Texans have played close in all their games. Vegas holds more talent top to bottom but they have yet to execute a complete four quarters. At home, the Silver and Black must set the tone by dominating from play one.

All eyes on the offensive line

The Raiders offensive line pushed their double teams better versus the Chiefs. That’s also why running back Josh Jacobs found success running between the tackles.

Vegas decided to move Alex Bars from starting left guard to starting right guard. Bars is still playing too high and getting beat with speed but he showed his size and strength in the run game versus the Chiefs.

Dylan Parham showed he could anchor the left side, even though he did take some lumps. Parham has started at three different positions as a rookie drafted in the third round. That’s incredible four the 6-3 interior linemen out of Memphis.

Kolton Miller had his best game of the season versus the Chiefs, according to PFF. Andre James also looked closer to his regular and consistent form.

It feels like the Raiders are finally steadying the ship at the offensive line. They need to improve their blitz pickup and they do take lumps versus speed in the pass and they struggle getting up to good backers. I’d like to see John Simpson back in the guard rotation as well as an upgrade at right tackle so Eleumunor can move inside to guard again.

Building on a big game

Vegas’ offensive line rotation seems to be finally settling down but that could all change after the Bye Week too. I still don’t think Bars is a starting guard on a playoff team, nor do I believe Jermaine Eluemunor is a starting right tackle for a good team. However, both looked competent and could get better as the season goes on. At the very least, this group has gotten better.

Moving onto the Texans, Vegas will need to keep building on their momentum with a solid effort from their offensive tackles. They helped Jacobs crack over 150 rushing yards with a 7 yards-per-carry average. QB Derek Carr was only sacked twice, not including that Chris Jones strip-sack that got reversed due to roughing the passer.

This week they’ll see one-time Raider Maliek Collins as well as run stopper Roy Lopez. Neither are great like Jeffrey Simmons or Chris Jones who the Raiders already faced, but both are formidable vets with defined roles in the defense.

On the edge, the Texans have enough length and athleticism to give the Raiders some problems. Jerry Hughes is having a resurgence with four sacks already this year. Former Seahawks edge Rasheem Green and former Rams edge Ogbonnia Okornokwo have looked good since joining the Texan’s rotation this year. The Silver and Black need a solid outing from their tackles.

The defensive line still needs help

Again, Maxx Crosby carried the front four with two sacks. Clelin Ferrell did some things to help Crosby but he still has not gotten a sack. Chandler Jones keeps finding himself in the play but he does not have the same explosiveness to make the play like a few years ago. The Raiders again find themselves in the bottom of the league for sacks.

Andrew Billings continued to look good in the interior but he’s limited as a pass rusher. The Raiders relied on Bilal Nichols again at defensive tackle. He’s a decent pass rusher but can get pushed in the run game. John Hankins was also missing from the center of the Raiders run defense.

Despite all the close games Vegas has played this year, they have not found a core-four defensive line players to finish games and win big spots. They still have to pick and choose between players who are solid against the run vs players who can rush the passer. Houston is in the middle of the pack for sacks allowed. The Texans are also in the bottom of the league for rushing yards. This is a matchup the defensive line can win in passing and running situations.

Give the ball to Jacobs

Back to the Patriots influence. The Raiders have been cute with their running back rotation all year. New England loves playing multiple backs and packages. It’s time to give Josh Jacobs the ball.

Jacobs has been the Raiders most consistent threat on offense. What the former Alabama running back lacks in size and speed, he makes up for it with effort and elusiveness. We’d all like to see him pull away a little more but he’s not afraid to finish runs. Jacobs’ cuts look way stronger. He is also being smarter about when to go down and protect his body.

Vegas just needs to give him the damn ball. Jacobs carved up the Chiefs and Broncos. The offense is different when they play with short third downs thanks to Jacobs. Darren Waller is not playing so the Raiders need an extra boost from Jacobs, particularly in the red zone.

Houston’s defense is discipline but they are not particularly strong against the run. The Texans allowed the 6th most rushing yard and they rank in the middle of pack for rushing touchdowns allowed. This should be a solid game for Jacobs and the rushing attack to eat again.

Let Davante Adams take out his frustration

We all saw the video where Adams knocked over a college student on his first day working as a freelance photographer. Adams apologized immediately after, but he still caught a misdemeanor charge and civil lawsuit from the individual he pushed.

It’s hard to blame Adams since he always says and does the right thing. Adams has been noticeably frustrated since coming to the Raiders. The team is 1-5 and his targets have gone up and down like the team’s success.

Still, the receiver registered 124 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns on only three receptions. Adams has always been a game changer so that play-making ability should not come as a surprise.

Vegas needs to again find ways to get Adams the ball early and often versus Houston. They are going to need his presence especially in the red zone since Waller is out again. The Silver and Black struggle in the red zone but hopefully Adams can make a few big plays to help them avoid that strife.

Houston is a middle of the pack pass defense. A big game from Adams should help him put the Kansas City situation behind him. It should also help the Raiders bury the Texans in an insurmountable lead.

It’s not about the Texans

The Raiders need to show a sense of urgency if they want to will themselves into the playoffs. Their chances of making the postseason decreased by a few points even though they did not play last week. They can easily blow out this AFC foe at home off talent alone.

A big win should give this team some confidence and momentum headed into an easy part of the schedule. It should also prove this team still believes in their head coach Josh McDaniels and their QB Derek Carr.

Nonetheless, they could also fall into a defensive battle with the Texans. That’s especially true if Vegas struggles stopping the run or allows big plays in the passing game due to miscues. This is the game for the Raiders to really showcase what they’re capable of for four quarters.

Bury the distractions

We’re all excited about Magic Johnson possibly joining the Raiders ownership. He was an L.A. Raiders fan back in the day and he helped the Lakers, Dodgers, Sparks and LAFC win championships in various roles. Johnson would bring diversity, connections and experience to the Raiders if the team sold a minority stake to him.

There’s been trade rumors about the Raiders exploring deals to bring back Nelson Agholor too. Rumors also surfaced that the team was shopping John Abram and Clelin Ferrell. It makes sense given neither lived up to their high draft status. However, what can you actually get for them and who are you going to play that is better?

None of that off-field conversation matters this season. Vegas will always be surrounded by talk and rumors. The Raiders need to forget all that to dig themselves out of a hole in the AFC West. That starts with just winning now, baby!