5 bold predictions for Raiders against Giants
By John Buhler
The Las Vegas Raiders will take on the New York Giants fresh off their bye entering Week 9.
At 5-2 on the year, the Las Vegas Raiders have massively overachieved this year, despite ongoing organizational chaos.
In the wake of the Jon Gruden email scandal, the Raiders have won their two more recent games under interim head coach Rich Bisaccia. It was an emotionally-inspired performance vs. the Denver Broncos three weeks ago. The Raiders went out and laid the smackdown on the Philadelphia Eagles two weeks ago. Now, they must face the New York Giants at MetLife.
Here are five bold predictions that are totally coming true when the Raiders take on the Giants.
Las Vegas Raiders: 5 bold predictions vs. New York Giants in Week 9
5. The Raiders will rush for over 100 yards as a team for the third time this year
The Raiders’ ground game has been inconsistent this season. We know the offense has no problem moving the sticks with Derek Carr at quarterback and his bevy of receiving talent in the passing game. However, if the Raiders want to creep ever closer towards claiming the very winnable AFC West this season, they need to establish the run and break the opposition’s will.
Las Vegas entered its bye week with only two 100-yard rushing games on the year as a team. The good news is they were able to amass 119 yards on the ground collectively vs. a rebuilding Eagles team at home in Week 7. Given that the Eagles have playmakers in the trenches, breaking the century mark on their front-seven is nothing to sneeze at. Can the Raiders do it again in Week 9?
While Josh Jacobs, Kenyan Drake an no one in the Raiders’ backfield will rush for 100 yards individually, the Raiders will achieve their second-highest rushing total as a team on the road Sunday vs. the Giants. New York might be at home, but they are coming off a short week and a tough road loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. In a game of wills, the Raiders will chew up some clock.
Look for the Raiders to have somewhere around 125 rushing yards on the Giants defense Sunday.