This week the Raiders will play host to the resurging New Orleans Saints. The Raiders are coming off an embarrassing loss to the Baltimore Ravens while the Saints are coming off an impressive win against the Atlanta Falcons. The Raiders are still banged up at RB, with both top backs in McFadden and Goodson out with high ankle sprains. Expect this game to have a ton of offense with both teams struggling on defense. The lowest yardage total the Saints have allowed all year is 421 yards. The Raiders have given up 97 points in the last two games. Everything tells you this should be a shootout, but we all know how when things are suppose to be one way, they usually end up being the other. Let's take a look at the matchups and predict a winner.
Raiders Offense vs. Saints Defense
The Raiders passing game has started to click the last couple of games and at the right time. The running game has been hampered by injuries and will once again have to go with Marcel Reece getting the bulk of the carries. This coaching staff doesn't seem to have a lot of faith in Taiwan Jones holding on to the football or blocking on passing downs, so he hasn't seen much action. The Saints defense is at the bottom or near the bottom in every defensive category including first downs given up, total yards, yards rushing and second to last in yards passing. They are allowing 5.1 yards/rush to their opponents, which if continues, would be one of the worst all-time in a season. Expect Carson Palmer to throw early and often, especially if they get down early. Expect the team that can stop the other offense to win the game.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Saints Offense
The Saints are doing as good on offense as they are doing bad on defense. While the defense is near the bottom in most categories, the offense is near the top in most categories. They rank 4th in total yards and 2nd in passing yards. The Raiders on defense have been as about as Jekyll and Hyde and you can get. They either hold teams too under 300 yards offense, or they allow more than 419 yards of offense, nothing in between. It's that way in rushing defense as well. They have allowed teams to gain less than 78 yards rushing five times but have allowed teams to rush for 165 yards three times, with only one in between those at 102. We'll see which defense shows up this afternoon to determine the outcome of the game.
Advantage: Saints
Special Teams
The Raiders have struggled on punt coverages and punt returns. Muffed punts especially have been problematic. Sebastian Janikowski has been excellent this year with his only miss being a 64 yarder. The Saints have a very dangerous returner in Darren Sproles and both kickers are above average.
Advantage: Saints
Prediction: Saints 35, Raiders 31
Record to Date :5-4
Raiders Offense vs. Saints Defense
The Raiders passing game has started to click the last couple of games and at the right time. The running game has been hampered by injuries and will once again have to go with Marcel Reece getting the bulk of the carries. This coaching staff doesn't seem to have a lot of faith in Taiwan Jones holding on to the football or blocking on passing downs, so he hasn't seen much action. The Saints defense is at the bottom or near the bottom in every defensive category including first downs given up, total yards, yards rushing and second to last in yards passing. They are allowing 5.1 yards/rush to their opponents, which if continues, would be one of the worst all-time in a season. Expect Carson Palmer to throw early and often, especially if they get down early. Expect the team that can stop the other offense to win the game.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Saints Offense
The Saints are doing as good on offense as they are doing bad on defense. While the defense is near the bottom in most categories, the offense is near the top in most categories. They rank 4th in total yards and 2nd in passing yards. The Raiders on defense have been as about as Jekyll and Hyde and you can get. They either hold teams too under 300 yards offense, or they allow more than 419 yards of offense, nothing in between. It's that way in rushing defense as well. They have allowed teams to gain less than 78 yards rushing five times but have allowed teams to rush for 165 yards three times, with only one in between those at 102. We'll see which defense shows up this afternoon to determine the outcome of the game.
Advantage: Saints
Special Teams
The Raiders have struggled on punt coverages and punt returns. Muffed punts especially have been problematic. Sebastian Janikowski has been excellent this year with his only miss being a 64 yarder. The Saints have a very dangerous returner in Darren Sproles and both kickers are above average.
Advantage: Saints
Prediction: Saints 35, Raiders 31
Record to Date :5-4
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