Indianapolis Colts at Las Vegas Raiders: Game preview and prediction
By Nick Ellis
Indianapolis Colts at Las Vegas Raiders: Game preview and prediction
Game Prediction
The result of this game will weigh heavily on what team is the most healthy. As of now, it appears that the Raiders could be without Josh Jacobs, Johnathan Abram, Trent Brown, and Damon Arnette, leaving them without their best offensive player, potentially best defensive player, one of the best tackles in the NFL against a legit pass rush, and the teams 2020 first round pick.
The Raiders were able to move the ball and score points against the Jets without Jacobs and Brown, and although the Jets do have a solid run defense, their pass defense is among the worst in the league, and the Colts defense is among the best in all areas. Derek Carr is going to have to get rid of the ball quickly against the Colts, something he does as good as anyone.
Darren Waller, Hunter Renfrow, and Henry Ruggs are going to have to come prepared to accumulate a lot of yards after catch to help move the ball, especially if Trent Brown doesn’t play. Even if Josh Jacobs plays, the Raiders may have to rely on the quick release of Carr to move the ball.
The way that the Raiders can win this game is by getting Philip Rivers emotional, something they have done very well in previous years. Rivers has done a better job of controlling the game pace and making less mistakes in his time in Indy, but he still throws crazy balls and tries too hard to make a play sometimes when he gets amped up.
Even though he is not in the same division as the Raiders anymore, the hatred between the two will still be there, and you can guarantee there will be a lot of talking between him and the Raiders defense. Last year, the Raiders were able to force a lot of turnovers against Rivers, and they will need to do it again if they want to win on Sunday.
Although all signs point to the Colts winning on Sunday, this has been the case before. The Colts were a heavy favorite against the Raiders in 2019, but Gruden drew up a great game plan for the Raiders offense to carve the Colts defense up, as well as finding ways to force turnovers.
Las Vegas Raiders: Handing out the 2020 Third Quarter Awards. dark. Next
If there is going to be a downfall for Indianapolis this week, it will be Philip Rivers, and Jon Gruden outcoaching Frank Reich on the offensive side of the ball. Las Vegas will find a way to control the clock, keep the Colts off the field, and take advantage of a couple bad throws by Rivers to win the game.