4. Las Vegas comes in with everything to gain
The Raiders are 2-11. They are playing for pride. They have a chance to beat the defending champs. As we saw on Thursday night when Atlanta went into Tampa Bay and defeated the Bucs, anything can happen in the NFL. Las Vegas will play fast and aggressively, knowing that a win here could make their season and mark a new beginning, pointing toward next year as Head Coach Pete Carroll works on building a winning culture.
5. Despite record, Raiders pose challenges
So, what have the Raiders done well this season? The negative plays created on defense are big, for sure. Bowers has eight receptions of 20-plus yards in the 10 games he has played this season and his 5.3 catches per game rank third among NFL tight ends. While Jeanty has found the treading tough in the ground game, he has 45 receptions, seventh among NFL running backs, and he has eight total touchdowns. The Raiders have been very productive returning kickoffs, with Raheem Mostert’s 30.1-yard average second in the league. Linebacker Devin White, an Eagle last season, had 19 tackles against Denver and has been in double digits in tackles in consecutive games. The Raiders allow 4.6 yards on first downs, the fourth-fewest yards on first down in the NFL. And, of course, they have pass rusher, standout Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby, who is going to be a handful. He sets the tone for the Raiders and has to be accounted for on every snap.
6. It will be cold, windy, and maybe snowy. Which means, what?
Hard to tell, but the Eagles have practiced in cold and windy weather all week, so in theory, they should be acclimated to it. How will the passing game be impacted? The kicking game, for sure, and that could dictate how the coaches play it on fourth-and-short situations. Ball security will be a factor. Are we looking at a Snow Bowl II situation? The weather forecast is for measurable snow overnight and then temperatures in the teens on Sunday. Yikes!
