The Las Vegas Raiders went 0-4 in the toughest part of their 2026 schedule; now they're headed east to face a struggling 2-5 New York Jets squad without two of its starting defensive linemen. This should be a competitive matchup with multiple subplots brewing between the teams.
After an abysmal 2025 season with the Raiders, Geno Smith is having a solid year with the Jets, throwing for 1,623 yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions with a 70% completion rate. He'll be looking for revenge.
The Jets' defense could make a statement after Ashton Jeanty called out a couple of its guys who "don't really want to tackle." The Raiders made him a captain for this game, so it's time for him to put his money where his mouth is.
The Raiders-Jets matchup could be an offensive firework show
Raiders rack up 100-plus rushing yards
Although Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick downplayed his team's response to Jeanty's comments, don't take his public comments at face value. Competitive athletes will always use bulletin-board material to fire themselves up for an extra edge on game day.
That being said, the Jets could take the field without two of their top defensive linemen. They've already ruled out 6-foot-4, 366-pound nose tackle T'Vondre Sweat. Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate David Bailey is doubtful to play with a groin injury.
The Raiders could have a get-right game on the ground against the Jets' depleted defensive front.
On X, fantasy football analyst Zain Dhanani provided context numbers that illustrate how much the Jets struggle against the run without Sweat and Bailey on the field:
"Without Sweat and David Bailey (20 att):
"YPC allowed: 7.05
"Yards before contact/att: 2.85"
After Jeanty's comments, he should lead the charge for a 100-plus-yard team rushing performance. The Raiders haven't eclipsed the century mark on the ground since Week 3.
Raiders give up a touchdown to a Jets tight end
As our own Marcus Johnson highlighted this week, the Raiders' defense has struggled to defend personnel groupings with multiple tight ends. So far this season, Rob Leonard's unit has surrendered eight touchdowns to tight ends, including two to Juwan Johnson, Noah Fant and Davis Allen.
Jets tight ends Mason Taylor and Kenyon Sadiq have racked up 30 receptions for 281 yards and three touchdowns combined. Last week, Taylor caught five passes for 62 yards and two touchdowns.
According to Sharp Football Stats, the Jets are tied for 11th in 12-personnel usage (two-tight-end sets) and are 14th in 13-personnel usage (three-tight-end sets).
Taylor has been the Jets' primary tight end, but Sadiq caught seven passes for 105 yards and a touchdown against the Detroit Lions in Week 3. One or both have a good chance to score against the Raiders' defense, which has allowed the second-most passing touchdowns going into Sunday.
Raiders-Jets go over projected 45.5 points total
On the surface, you would think two struggling teams would be in a 23-20 pillow fight with a bunch of field goals. FanDuel's over/under point total for this game is 45.5.
However, the Raiders have scored 26 or more points in five of their seven games. They should be able to take advantage of the Jets' defensive front, which has key injuries along the front line. Even with Sweat and Bailey, Gang Green's defense ranks 24th against the run.
The Jets have only scored more than 20 points once over the previous four weeks, and that was in a 28-25 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Nonetheless, expect Smith to have one of his better outings against the Raiders' 22nd-ranked pass defense. Aside from his pass-catching tight ends, he can also throw to star wide receiver Garrett Wilson and emerging rookie wideout Omar Cooper Jr., who has recorded 11 catches for 218 yards and two touchdowns over the last two weeks.
Also, lead running back Breece Hall could be back from a quad injury, joining Braelon Allen in a favorable matchup against the Raiders' 31st-ranked run defense.
This could be a high-scoring thriller with the winner finishing with 30 or more points.
Moe Moton writes about the Raiders for Just Blog Baby. You can follow him on Twitter at @MoeMoton.
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