Let’s cook up some of that same awesome pass rush we saw last week versus Denver when the Raiders take on the Giants this week. Denico Autry, Bruce Irvin and Khalil Mack combined to sack the Broncos quarterbacks five times en route to victory. While Geno Smith is more mobile than Eli Manning, the Raiders pass rush could be in for its best performance of the season.
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The biggest issue the Giants have had for the last several years has been the horrendous play on the offensive line, especially at tackle. Irvin will be going up against The Big Apple turnstile known as Ereck Flowers on Sunday. Mack should have no problem getting around Chad Wheeler on the right side of the New York offensive line.
Though Oakland only has one interception this season, the Raiders could add to that total with a few picks on bad throws by Smith. Smith can and will throw picks. He did it at West Virginia and he did it all the time when he was the starting quarterback for the New York Jets. Since this is his big opportunity to start for the Giants, look Smith to press against a bad Raiders secondary.
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The muddier of a pocket he has to work in, the better for the Oakland defense. Since the Giants don’t have much of a running game, making life difficult for the new New York passer is the clearest path to victory for the Silver and Black. What worked last week should work just fine this week with the Raiders’ pass rush.