The Las Vegas Raiders are shaping up to be a team that can win only one way—in a high-scoring, back-and-forth matchup. Luckily, that may be the game script against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
In three of their previous five outings, the Raiders have scored 27 or more points, but they're 1-4 in that stretch, giving up 30-plus points in each game. The 49ers have wide receiver injuries, but two of their stars, running back Christian McCaffrey and tight end George Kittle, will be ready to play.
So, head coach Klint Kubiak has to work his play-calling magic to keep the Raiders in this game. FanDuel has set the spread at -9.5, favoring San Francisco, with a 51.5-point total. That could be a formula for Las Vegas to win. Here are some predictions for the potentially high-scoring contest.
In a battle between top-six scoring offenses, the Raiders can keep pace with the 49ers
Ashton Jeanty racks up over 60 receiving yards
At this point, you have to view Ashton Jeanty as a wide receiver out of the backfield. He's been most effective in that role, and that's how Kubiak utilized him last week.
In the win over the New York Jets, rookie fourth-rounder Mike Washington Jr. took on the lion's share of carries, logging 25 rush attempts for 83 yards. While that looks like an inefficient yards-per-carry average, former Raiders guard Richie Incognito provided some context on X.
"For all you “stats people” knocking Mike Washington’s 3.3 YPC…
"Goal-to-go: 6 carries for 0 yards
"Outside goal-to-go: 19 carries for 83 yards (4.4 YPC)
"The O-line can’t get a push at the goal line.
"Watch the game. Not the box score."
Kubiak may have found the most effective way to feature Washington Jr. and Jeanty in the short term. Jeanty is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry, but he's racking up numbers in the passing game, recording 37 receptions for 376 yards and three touchdowns this year.
Entering Week 9, Jeanty is second on the team in receptions, seeing at least six targets in four of the last five games.
With more than 60 receiving yards in back-to-back outings, he's primed for another big game as a receiver. The 49ers allowed Atlanta Falcons running backs Bijan Robinson and Khalil Herbert to combine for 78 receiving yards in Week 7.
Raiders defense allows 100-plus receiving yards to George Kittle
San Francisco ruled out wide receivers Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel for this game. So, in addition to the Raiders' issues covering tight ends, George Kittle will be the 49ers' primary pass-catcher, as Demarcus Robinson, Brandin Cooks and Jordan Watkins will lead the 49ers' wide receiver corps.
Robinson is set to suit up for his first game since the team placed him on injured reserve with an ankle injury late in September. Cooks hasn't finished with more than 13 receiving yards in four games. Watkins has six catches for the season.
Defensive coordinator Rob Leonard's game plan should revolve around covering Kittle, but the Raiders' 26th-ranked pass defense hasn't had much success stopping opposing aerial attacks.
Raiders avoid turnovers in another high-scoring game
The Raiders haven't beaten themselves with turnovers. They've only given the ball away multiple times in a game twice in eight games and avoided turnovers in their last two outings. Kirk Cousins hasn't thrown an interception since Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills.
Meanwhile, San Francisco's defense is tied for 27th in takeaways with only seven for the season. The 49ers haven't forced a turnover since they had four in Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks.
If the Raiders do what they've done and protect the ball, this should be another action-packed matchup for the Silver and Black with the winner scoring 30-plus points.
Moe Moton writes about the Raiders for Just Blog Baby. You can follow him on Twitter at @MoeMoton.
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