This week the New England Patriots host the undefeated Las Vegas Raiders. Sure it is only two weeks into the season, but the Raiders have looked very dangerous so far and are being very overlooked by the football population.
Let’s start with the offense
Las Vegas has scored 34 points in each of their first two games and have moved the ball very effectively. Derek Carr through two games has 523 passing yards with four touchdown passes and no interceptions. This is probably the best Carr has looked since his horrific leg injury in December of 2016. Another key component is Josh Jacobs, last week the Patriots got pushed around by Chris Carson at times and were not able to tackle efficiently. They will have to be a lot better in that regard this week with Jacobs coming into the game with 181 yards and three touchdowns already this season. Last week was a struggle for the Pats secondary; they allowed too many big plays in critical situations allowing 5 touchdown’s through the air. Although the Raiders receiving core is not as good as the Seahawks the Patriots will still need to defend the pass better if they want to stop the big threats such as Darren Waller, Hunter Renfrow and Henry Ruggs. This needs to be a big bounce back game for the Pats defense.
Las Vegas defensively is off to an okay start.
In week one they struggled mightily against the Panthers but played very well on Monday Night in the team’s first win over the Saints. The Raiders defense has struggled against the run conceding over 5.5 yards a carry so far in this young season. No the Patriots do not have anybody in their backfield as good as McCaffrey or Kamara but the Raiders have not faced a QB who can move like Cam can standing 6’ 5” 245 lbs. The Patriots should try and run the ball all over the Raiders tomorrow like they did in the season opener against the Dolphins. The Raiders secondary isn’t a strength either even though the numbers against them don’t look too bad. The key for the Pats offense against this Raiders defense will have to be to run the ball effectively and they will be fine.
Photo: Joe Nicholson / USA TODAY Sports
