New FSM Game Preview: Raiders vs Washington Football Team - Week 13

 

FSM Game Preview: Raiders vs Washington Football Team – Week 13

Franchise Sports Media

Las Vegas Raiders (6-5) | Washington Football Team (5-6)

 

The Las Vegas Raiders return to Allegiant Stadium to welcome the Washington Football Team to Sin City.

 

The Las Vegas Raiders return to the desert after a thrilling Thanksgiving Day victory over the Dallas Cowboys. They face another NFC East opponent in the Washington Football Team, who are red hot, having won three straight games. With both teams looking to keep their momentum moving forward and stay in the playoff race, this matchup will be an exciting battle to watch.

Both teams have had their ups and downs but remain alive in hopes of a playoff run.

The Raiders started the season red hot, going 5-2 on a two-game win streak heading into their bye week. They look to be in a prime position to finish the season strong. Unfortunately, if history suggests anything, it shows that things didn’t go so smoothly returning from their bye week; the team lost three straight games, including two at home. The Silver & Black were able to get back in the winner’s circle with a victory over the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day in a thrilling overtime game. Can the Raiders finally turn things around and make it two in a row with that win?

 

The Raiders have the league leader in passing yards in quarterback Derek Carr who has 3,414 yards on the season so far.

 

While the offense has had its bright spots throughout the season, it has also had games where it struggled to get things going. Starting things off hot and heavy and staying consistent throughout the game will be of the utmost importance for the Raiders’ offense. They may be going forward without their All-Pro tight end Darren Waller, who suffered a strained IT band in his knee against the Cowboys. While it’s excellent news that he didn’t tear any ligaments, knee injuries can be tricky, so his availability will be monitored with a magnifying glass.

With Waller in question, backup tight end Foster Moreau will need to step up and do his part, as he does have three touchdown catches on the season, which is second on the team. Running backs Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake will see their role in the passing game increased, wideouts Hunter Renfrow and speedster DeSean Jackson will have to continue to provide big plays down the field. The hope is that Bryan Edwards and Zay Jones can find their consistency since they’ve shown flashes of brilliance through the season but also have had games where they disappear. Performances like that can no longer happen as everyone needs to be on board and have their best showings week in and week out.

The WFT has been a roll themselves. Once thought to be a lost cause, they are now making a strong push towards the postseason once again under Ron Rivera. Starting 2-2, WFT dropped four straight games before their bye week. But since returning from their bye, they have rolled off three consecutive wins, including a down to the wire victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football. Looking to make it four, they will need to be hitting on all cylinders in Sin City if they are to walk away with a win.

 

The Raiders defense will have its work cut out for them if they want to earn a victory.

 

The defensive unit will have to step up and not allow the opposing team to inflict their will if a victory is in order for the Raiders. The defense has been playing at a reasonably high level and making plays. They apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks frequently, not allowing for the big down-the-field plays and offering thunderous hits.

While the WFT may not have the most explosive offense, they have shown that they are a tough and gritty team with a nice balance of running the ball and passing. The Raiders’ defense has had moments where they have done well against both the pass and run and others where they have struggled against both. This can be a game where they can dominate the line of scrimmage with their defensive line and apply pressure throughout the game on the quarterback without giving up the big plays down the field or allowing the WFT to ground and pound. This could be a showcase for the defense to make some plays.

As the season wears on, each week becomes more and more important to put your best foot forward and walk away victorious as the push for the postseason heats up.

The Raiders already have replaced starting members on their offensive line, their head coach, their starting wide receiver, and possibly their stud tight end. This is a lot to ask of any team, but the season must go on, and games must still be played. The team must continue to find ways to focus, prepare and attack the task at hand. Because at the end of the day, as the late great Al Daivs said…

 

“Just Win Baby”

 

The Raiders and Football Team play Sunday at 1:05 pm at Allegiant Stadium and can be seen on FOX.

 

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-Kalani Lua – Franchise Sports Media

Follow Kalani on Twitter @klua11

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