Raiders vs. Vikings Predictions

Raiders - Vikings Preview

The Raiders will look to continue to keep the heat on the rest of the division as they head to Minnesota to square off against the 2-7 Vikings. Fresh off their 24-17 Thursday Night win over the Chargers, Carson Palmer, Michael Bush and company will try and keep the offense clicking on all cylinders against a Vikings team that has struggled all season. The Raiders are hoping to keep their success this season on the road going as they will try for win number 4 in 5 games. Let's take a look at the matchups and predict a winner.

Raiders Offense vs. Vikings Defense

The Raiders offense last week against the Chargers really started to take shape. They will look to run the ball first with a punishing Bush and play-action to their speedy wideouts in Moore and Heyward-Bey. This has been a recipe for success, and when executed, translates into victories. They will be going up against a depleted Vikings secondary, but still possess one of the league's best pass-rushers in NFL sack-leader Jared Allen. It looks to be the winner will be the team that establishes dominance on the line of scrimmage.

Advantage: Raiders

Raiders Defense vs. Vikings Offense

The Raiders success on defense is predicated on stopping the run. This will be a challenge this week as they face one of the NFL's best rushers in Adrian Peterson. The Vikings on offense will only go as far as the running game takes them. Don't look for rookie QB Christian Ponder to take over a game with his arm. This is what makes this game so intriguing. Both teams on offense and defense are successful on how they run the ball on offense and how they stop the run on defense. The Raiders will have some key injuries that they will be monitoring. Richard Seymour will be a game-time decision and Michael Huff is also questionable. This could make it tough to be able to stop the Vikings rush-heavy offense.

Advantage: Vikings

Special Teams

The Raiders will be without one of their most dynamic players in Jacoby Ford and will have to deal with a limited Janikowski. The Vikings have a very good return-man in Percy Harvin and reliable kicker in Ryan Longwell. The Raiders have struggled on punt returns this year and Harvin could play a factor in the game today.

Advantage: Vikings

Prediction: Raiders 24, Vikings 21

Record to date: 4-4