5 bold predictions for Raiders against Bengals
By John Buhler
3. Raiders pass rush will bring Joe Burrow to the turf twice in this game
Not to say the Raiders will win the turnover battle, as that may not be what is truly indicative of who will win this highly-contested ball game, but the Silver and Black will bring the pressure on the opposing quarterback. Joe Burrow may be The Geauxt, but the second-year pro will be falling to the turf like a sack of potatoes vs. the Raiders defense. It will be enough to keep it interesting.
Look for the first sack of the game to come on a crucial third-and-long for the Raiders defense. Burrow may have little issue picking apart the Las Vegas secondary throughout the game, but on this particular play, he goes to the ground on an impressive coverage sack by the Raiders. Las Vegas will score a touchdown on the ensuing possession after the Bengals are forced to punt.
And with the game on the line, Burrow will take another bad sack late in the ballgame. It will come once again on a third-and-long with an opportunity for the Bengals to kick a long, 50-yard field goal. Unfortunately for Cincinnati, this well-designed blitz scheme from defensive coordinator Gus Bradley will take the Bengals out of field-goal range. The Bengals will be punting late in the game.
If any Raiders player ends up with a sack in this game, it has to be pass-rushing star Maxx Crosby.