Tag: Jets

About the last two weeks and keys to beating the Dolphins

It has been a hell of turnaround the last two weeks. The Las Vegas Raiders are 2-0 under interim head coach Antonio Pierce.

Vegas dominated a New York Giants that was bad. The Giants also lost their starting quarterback early in the game. Vegas spread the ball around at home. It was the most dominate performance of the season fresh off the Raiders making an organizational change.

Then, the Raiders beat the Jets in a super close prime time game. The Jets could’ve easily won that game as the two teams were evenly matched. The Jets could’ve given the Raiders some problem with young talent throughout the roster. Former Raider Solomon Thomas got a sack for the Jets. Quinnen Williams chipped in half a sack.

Both victories came at home. Neither showing was perfect. The offensive line loo led good but also took some losses. However, it was nice to see the Raiders string together some wins.

Now, Pierce must lead his guys on the road. Raider Nation knows the Raiders’ woes traveling to the East Coast too well. The Raiders opted to practice three hours early, rather then go to Florida early. Hopefully, it pays off in Miami versus a Dolphins’ team that scored more than 30 points in five games.

Vegas needs to stick to the formula. Josh Jacobs has had his best two games of the season. He finally seems to be getting some momentum. The Raiders got the ball to Davante Adams to keep the Jets honest. Raiders rookie quarterback Aiden O’Connell hasn’t been perfect but he has had shimmers of success. Great offensive line play and a successful rushing attack provide safety to a rookie quarterback. The Raiders need to stick to that formula.

On defense, the Raiders are finding their stride. They got an interception and two sacks last week. They kept Breece Hall in check a week after not really having an answer for Saquon Barkley. Barkley averaged over five yards per carry but the Giants got away from the running game due to the large defector. Vegas was able to sack the quarterback eight times and they registered two interceptions versus the G-Men.

Now, the Raiders will get the Miami Dolphins in the road. Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has more poise and accuracy than the last two quarterbacks the Raiders played. Tyreek Hill always tears up the Raiders dating by to his Chief days. I’m sure he will love to do it again. The Raiders secondary needs to play discipline over the top and the corners need to play more cautiously. Miami can beat them in single coverage and over the top deep.

The Miami Dolphins will also get rookie running back De’Von Achane back from IR. Achane had 7 touchdowns and over 400 yards before he went down with a knee injuries. Overall, this Dolphins offense is much more explosive than the Raiders’ last two opponents. Let’s see if the Raiders can keep their swagger this week.

Pierce deserves a lot of credit for the last two wins, since he’s effectively opened up the lines for communication between players and staff again. Yet, we’ll see how he really does leading this team on the road versus a strong opponent. We’ll be more able to judge his long term coaching ability by the adjustments he makes if the team goes down. How will they respond if they go down bad?

Either way, it seems like the Raiders are getting back to their identity. Expect them to lean on Jacobs early as well as push the ball downfield in spots. The running game will help the Raiders keep the Dolphins offense off the field.

Defensively, the Raiders really need to get after the quad back but also play discipline against the run. They got to stay at home versus the running game and they can’t suffer any big games to misdirection. Collectively, the defense can’t get down if they give up any big plays. They also need to keep finding ways to takeaway the ball. If the Raiders can get a few sacks, it might be easier to force Tua into an interception. Plus, turnovers gives the offense momentum, a short field and favorable terms.

The Raiders and Dolphins both have 18 wins versus each other historically. They went to overtime the last time they played in 2021, but both teams were totally different. This time the Dolphins are playing to create some separation in their division. They also want to prove their status as a contender. Vegas, on the other hand, needs a win to elevate them in a crowded AFC Wild Card picture.

This is going to be a tough win on the road. But the Raiders could use the momentum headed into a division bout with the Chiefs next week.

Running the ball, converting plays downfield, creating turnovers, stopping the run and limiting big plays will help the Raiders win their third straight for the first time this season. If Vegas can secure this road win, Pierce will earn his third cigar celebration. Regardless, it’s nice to see the Raiders regain some swagger. Hopefully, they keep playing with that fun and intensity no matter if they win or lose.

Jet Set on Just Winning

The Raiders did their best to kill any argument they belong in the playoffs. A 43-6 loss puts them in ninth place and outside the postseason. The only good thing is Baltimore lost in their J.V. Wednesday game. Vegas still has head-to-head matchups with the Colts and Dolphins who are ahead of them in the standings so not all hope is lost.

Still, last week’s collapse was oddly familiar to the egg they laid last year around the same time. The seams came undone on that year but Gruden and others swear this is a different team.

Either way, if 2020 was a game it felt like last week. We knew the Falcons were a threat so we did not completely overlook them. We thought we were discipline enough to beat a deadly virus disguised as a common cough. Scoreboard told a different story as the Falcons hit the Raiders in the mouth like COVID hit our entire way of life. The Silver and Black went from being the physical team versus the Chiefs to getting bullied by a team with an interim coach and no playoff chances.

Sure, you can expect a let down after the Raiders came so close to beating the Chiefs the week before. It was a West Coast team traveling East. They had COVID issues too. All good reasons to que the it’s a trap memes!

This week, the Raiders have no excuses. People like to point out that teams have ended losing streaks versus the Jets. Sam Darnold hasn’t thrown a TD pass in four starts. Frank Gore keeps fighting time as he is their feature back off his best game.

It will be cold and Derek Carr won’t get the benefit of the dome. We know how he struggles in the cold but I can’t believe we are talking about him securing the ball this late in his career. He had three fumbles and three interceptions last week. It was his second game with multiple fumbles. His turnovers have been major in all of our losses this year.

Beating the Jets starts with controlling the ball. Vegas will also be down Josh Jacobs who is nursing an ankle sprain. Trent Brown also won’t be returning so who knows what to expect at right tackle. Right when we thought Brandon Parker was turning a corner he gives us a game like last week.

Not to mention, our defense still looked like Swiss cheese. They were still short handed due to the virus and they will be again with Carl Nassib out. Damon Arnette is also out due to a concussion. Maliek Collins ends a disappointing year with IR. Jonathan Abram will also be out.

On the other hand, Clelin Ferrell will return and Vic Beasley makes his debut. Some good news for the Raiders front seven.

Still, this could easily set the stage to the Jets finding themselves and putting together a win. Their coach is on the hot seat and Trevor Lawrence is in their sites which means New York’s effort could go either way.

The Raiders defense is messy and their offense will be down their identity which is Jacobs. Another poor defensive showing should send Paulie G. packing. Injuries can only save so much mediocrity.

On offense, the Raiders need to get back on track versus a Jets defense that ranks towards the bottom of the league. Their secondary is incredibly young so that should mean the Raiders look to get Henry Ruggs involved early and often. They will need his playmaking and speed in the cold. What New York does have is a near unblock-able Quinnen Williams. Blocking him is challenging enough but the Raiders added o-line injuries to Good and Brown could make him a real factor.

Ultimately, the Raiders got to forget about last season and last week. Carr has to put his cold and east coast struggles behind him by finding ways to convert on third down and not turning the ball over. He is the Raiders advantage given Darnold’s struggles. Carr can’t put his already struggling defense behind by turning the ball over.

Vegas’ x-factor is Davontae Booker. The former Bronco is averaging 5.5 yards per carry behind Jacobs rhis year. He earned himself some playing time and this is the game where he may shoulder the load in the cold. Look for the Raiders to give it to him early and often.

Defensively, the Jets do have size and speed at receiver. The Silver and Black are already undersized in the secondary which means the Jets could challenge them down field. Add the fact the Raiders are down bodies in the secondary and they will have their hands full.

New York also features one of the best young tackles in Mekhi Becton. Still, the Raiders figuring out the pass rush is once again imperative to winning. It will be harder given Nassib and Collins are out. Hurst could be out and oh yeah they have injuries in the secondary again.

It’s hard not to sound like the sky is falling after last week’s loss. The challenge is the Raiders have looked good versus playoff teams like the Chiefs, Browns and Saints but also looked bad versus middle of the road teams like the Falcons and Patriots. We are three quarters of the way through the season and should be playing our best ball. Instead, we’re worried about stacking three losses amid all these injuries.

As much as it feels like the Raiders are better and finding an identity, we still don’t know what to expect on a week to week basis. Should the Raiders beat up on a Jets team that is going the other way? Yes. Could they lose on the road to young team with all these injuries. Yes. Predicting what team shows up this week is as good as a guess.

If the Raiders want to make the playoffs they better find a way to make up for their sins with an imposing win versus the Jets. They need the confidence and their reserves need the experience amid all these injuries.

Even if mathematically there is a still a shot, a loss here could signal the end of a lot. The end of the coordinators in Vegas. The end of the Carr chapter. Or at the very least the end of our legitimate playoff hopes. But fuck it Just Win Baby!