Las Vegas Raiders: JustBlogBaby staff predictions vs. Carolina Panthers
By Brad Weiss
The 2020 NFL season is officially here, and our staff at JustBlogBaby gives our Week 1 predictions for the Raiders matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
The Las Vegas Raiders open up their new Era of football on the road today, as they travel to the East Coast to take on the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers have a brand new quarterback, and head coach, but return one of the elite weapons in the NFL in running back Christian McCaffrey.
With that said, here is our Week 1 predictions for the Raiders game against the Carolina Panthers.
Las Vegas Raiders: JustBlogBaby staff predictions vs. Carolina Panthers
Blake Williams: 27-13 Raiders
Going up against a team with no NFL Tape is worrying, but you have to factor in the Carolina coaching staff’s inexperience into this matchup as well. Include Matt Rhule’s comments last week about how he was disappointed in the effort at practice, it’s safe to assume the Raiders should win this game.
I expect some sloppiness on both sides of the ball for each team, but the Raiders will come out victorious because the X factor, Darren Waller will be too much for a young defense to account for.
Daniel Davis: 24-13 Raiders
Henry Ruggs III will make an instant impact on the offense with his big play ability, and will score his first touchdown in the NFL in this game. Darren Waller will continue where he left off and prove to the NFL he’s not a one-hit wonder, cementing himself as an elite tight end this season.
The defense will be greatly improved and will hold the Panthers to less than 14 points and Christian McCaffrey will be locked down by Cory Littleton. Rookie corner Damon Arnette will lock down the second receiver and show why he was a first round pick.
Nick Ellis: 28-24 Raiders
Week 1 will be a battle between two of the best young running backs in the NFL, and although I believe they will both have big games, I believe that pace at which the Silver and Black will control the ball will be too much. Las Vegas will have a massive advantage in terms of time on offense, wearing down the Panthers defense to the point where they will be able to open up their offense and score points.
Raiders need Derek Carr to play like he did last time against Carolina. dark. Next
Brad Weiss: 30-21 Raiders
The 2020 season is going to be an exciting one, and I believe Las Vegas will get off on the right foot in Week 1 against a Carolina Panthers team with a rookie head coach. Not having a preseason is going to be tough on Matt Rhule, as in-game decisions are a key part in winning any game at this level.
He has had success, and likely will at the NFL level, but on Sunday, the Raiders experience, and continuity will be too much. Look for a big game from Josh Jacobs against a bad Panthers run defense, as he keeps McCaffrey on the sidelines long enough for the Raiders to pull away.