Las Vegas Raiders X-Factors against the Patriots in 2022 Week 15

Las Vegas Raiders X-Factors against the Patriots in 2022 Week 15

Play to win and not to lose

It’s Week 15 and Josh McDaniels and the coaching staff have yet to learn their lesson, but the message has to get through to them at some point. Right? You have to play to win and avoid trying not to lose. That strategy has plagued Las Vegas all season as they have fallen victim to being too conservative.

In a matchup between McDaniels and his mentor Bill Belichick, this is a winnable game for the Silver and Black so long as they don’t play into the latter’s hands. New England’s defense allows their opponents the fifth-fewest points per game, but their offense is just 18th in scoring. If Las Vegas’ offense is stagnant and it results in a closely contested game, that’s precisely what Belichick will want.

Over the last three games, the Raiders have averaged the seventh-most points per game, but last week’s performance was a far cry from that stat. This offense has the advantage over New England’s, and they have to keep their foot on the gas pedal to ensure a sequel to last week’s blunder is not in store.