Raiders keys to victory against the Patriots in 2022 Week 15
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders take on the New England Patriots in Week 15, and here are the keys to victory for the Silver and Black in this one.
Last season, it took a four-game winning streak to close the season for the Las Vegas Raiders to make the playoffs. This season, it will take the same thing, as well as some help, and that unlikely road starts in Week 15 at home against the New England Patriots.
For the Silver and Black, this has been a roller coaster of a season, one that has been filled with incredibly tough losses. If they would have taken care of business with some big leads this season, they would easily be in the driver’s seat for a playoff spot, but instead, they are playing for their playoff lives.
Here, we look at some keys to victory against the Pats on Sunday.
Raiders keys to victory against the Patriots in 2022 Week 15
Run the football
Depending on the health of Josh Jacobs, the key to the game against New England on Sunday will be pounding the football. The Silver and Black got a terrible game from Derek Carr in Week 14, and the Patriots will be looking to get him off his mark once again this weekend.
For the Raiders, when Jacobs is running the football, the advantage is in their hands, and they need to establish the run early and often. If they do that, they should be able to wear down a tough Patriots defense.
Play 60 minutes
The problem all season for the Las Vegas Raiders has been their inability to play for a full 60 minutes. We have seen them struggle in the first half, and then come out strong after the break, while also seeing them blow way too many big leads all season long.
Playing against his mentor in Bill Belichick, Josh McDaniels needs to keep his foot on the gas for the whole 60 minutes, especially if the Raiders can somehow build a large lead against the Patriots. If they fail to do that, Belichick will find a way to win this one.
Get to Mac Jones
The Raiders have the advantage at the quarterback position, as Carr is a much better signal-caller than Mac Jones is at this point in his career. They also have an advantage in terms of the pass rush, and the key for the Silver and Black on defense will be Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby getting after Jones all game long.
Hopefully, the refs actually call some holds on Crosby this weekend, as he seemed to be held on every play against the Rams last Thursday night. If he can make his presence felt on Sunday afternoon, it will go a long way in forcing a bad effort from Jones and this Patriots offense.