New FSM Game Preview: Raiders vs Jaguars - Week 9

 

New FSM Game Preview: Raiders vs Jaguars – Week 9

Las Vegas Raiders (2-5) | Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6)

Franchise Sports Media

 

At 2-5, where do the Raiders go from here? Physically, they’ll spend the week practicing at IMG Academy in Sarasota, FL, before heading to Duval County. Mentally, they’ll try to have a short memory as they prepare for the Jaguars.

 

Earlier in the year, it seemed to start at 0-3 would be the pinnacle low point of the season. As it is now, after being shut out in The Big Easy (more like “The Big Difficult”), the Raiders have sunk to new depths in 2022. Frankly, Josh McDaniels, Patrick Graham, and Derek Carr cannot have another showing like that without someone losing their job.

Naturally, coach McDaniels and Carr took the game on the chin (as is a testament to their character), owning every bit of the deflating loss. Well, the past is passed at this point, and the Silver & Black are already working hard to right the ship. Next, they’ll face the team they saw back in August for the Hall of Fame game (winning 27-11), the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Like the Raiders, the pro football team in Duval County has also had a bit of a roller-coaster season, especially considering all they endured with Urban Meyer last year. 2021 and 2022 have been rough for both franchises, but you’ll find no sympathy throughout the rest of the league. Additionally, whoever loses this contest on Sunday will also see their season end and may suffer organizational changes.

Before diving into this week’s Raider preview against the Jaguars, reflect on the current 53-man roster. With some key players dealing with illness last week, the Silver & Black should be close to full strength on Sunday.

 

Previous contests:

 

HOF game: Raiders 27 – Jaguars 11
PRE1: Raiders 26 – Vikings 20
PRE2: Raiders 15 – Dolphins 13
PRE3: Raiders 23 – Patriots 6

WK1: Chargers 24 – Raiders 19 (L)
WK2: Cardinals 29 – Raiders 23 (OT)/(L)
WK3: Titans 24 – Raiders 22 (L)
WK4: Raiders 32 – Broncos 23 (W)
WK5: Chiefs 30 – Raiders 29 (L)
WK6: BYE
WK7: Raiders 38 – Texans 20 (W)
WK8: Saints 24 – Raiders 0 (L)

 

KEYS TO THE GAME:

 

Score early and often

Simple enough, right? Before being shut out in NOLA, the Raiders‘ offense was actually one of the more efficient units in the league, producing points on over 50% of their possessions through seven weeks of the season. Obviously, that rate has dropped, but the Raiders can certainly rebound in a big way in Week 9. Of note, the Jaguars are also coming off a demoralizing loss, with their defense coughing up a late lead in London to Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos. Still, the Raiders‘ offensive line may have issues with explosive linebackers Josh Allen and 2022 first-overall pick Travon Walker.

Advantageously for Las Vegas, Jacksonville’s secondary has been a problem spot for the team. Through eight games in 2022, the Jags have allowed 1,900 yards through the air, which puts them in the bottom third of the NFL (yes, behind the Raiders’ unit). Also, considering that receivers Davante Adams (who was one of the Raiders dealing with illness) and Hunter Renfrow only caught one pass each last week–I don’t expect that trend to continue. On Sunday, I see Adams getting back in the end zone (possibly more than once) and other pass catchers like Mack Hollins and Foster Moreau getting their targets in timely spots. Regardless, the Raiders need at least ten points on the board in the opening quarter.

 

Adjust the defense as needed

 

Although both sides of the ball were atrocious for the Raiders last week in the Superdome, it has been the defense and their lack of adjustments that have been the most prominent weakness (that statement does not pertain to Maxx Cosby). As it is now, Patrick Graham’s seat as defensive coordinator is heating up, and we know that owner Mark Davis had another closed-door meeting with McDaniels after Week 8. The secondary, especially the safeties, has been largely ineffective outside of Duron Harmon. Given that the Raiders have been tasked with facing a slew of talented quarterbacks this season (and will do so again this week with Trevor Lawrence), in-game adjustments by the quarter are vital.

Sure, Lawrence has had his own struggles this year; In eight games, he’s thrown six interceptions with a less-than-average completion rate of 62.4%. Those are interesting figures, especially when you consider that Jacksonville’s offensive line has kept Lawrence mostly upright (only being sacked 12 times, which is one of the best marks in the league for a QB that’s played eight games). There’s also the recent decision to make RB Travis Etienne the feature runner of Jacksonville’s offense. Regardless, the Raiders will need a fluid approach. If something is not working, change it! It sounds like common sense…

 

Coaching matchup

 

At this point in the season, it’s becoming hard to lean on Coach McDaniels’ previous championship experience as an OC, especially looking at his overall record through his games as a head coach. Doug Pederson, tasked with putting out Urban Meyer’s dumpster fire, has the Jaguars looking better than last year. Additionally, Pederson has a championship pedigree of his own, winning Super Bowl LI over Brady and the Pats in only his second season as a head coach.

Like McDaniels, Pederson is an offensive mind. Having played in the NFL as Brett Favre’s backup for the majority of his career (winning Super Bowl XXXI with Green Bay), Pederson has all the experience and insights that you could ask for in a head coach. Still, I am not entirely ready to disregard McDaniels track record as a play-caller. With that said, in this week’s coaching matchup, I rule it a draw.

 

INJURY REPORT:

Below are Thursday’s (Nov. 3) practice participation sheets for the Raiders and Jaguars …

Las Vegas – 

Jacksonville – 

 

WEATHER REPORT:

Like the weather in New Orleans last week, the forecast for Sunday’s game in Jacksonville is muggy, with a chance of rain in the second half. Only this time, the Raiders will be exposed to the elements, playing outdoors at Duval County’s TIAA Bank Stadium. Expect temperatures around 75 degrees with 10 MPH winds and a 35% chance of rain.

 

The Raiders will stay on the road and lodge/practice at the IMG Academy in Sarasota, FL, this week before heading to Jacksonville to battle the Jaguars in Week 9. The game is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 6, with a 10:00 am kickoff, and can be seen locally on CBS 8 (radio play-by-play on RNR AM920)

 

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-Gabe Santiago – Franchise Sports Media

Follow Gabe on Twitter & Instagram at @gps_onthemic

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