The 2-0 Las Vegas Raiders are set to head east for a week three match up against the 1-1 New England Patriots Sunday afternoon. The Raiders are coming off the emotional thrill of a win over the New Orleans Saints in their new stadium debut, while New England just suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
The Raiders looked over matched early in week 2, but their offense got rolling in the second quarter, outscoring Drew Brees and the Saints 34-14 over the last three quarters. QB Derek Carr hasn’t seen much success against New England though, going 0-2 in his career. His offense has failed to score more than nine points both times he’s gone toe-to-toe with Bill Bellicheck too, most recently in 2017.
New England’s defense was torn apart by Seattle last week, but their offense did well. QB Cam Newton had nearly 400 yards passing, almost half of which went to WR Julian Edelman. Though they were extremely one-dimensional, only getting 67 total rushing yards.
The Raiders defense did a good job locking up New Orleans’ ground game. Will Newton and Edelman be able to replicate their performance against a sketchy Raiders pass defense?
TV Info
Date: September 27
Time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Channel: CBS
Broadcast map
Notable Statistical rankings (Football Outsiders)
Raiders: 26th vs pass, 28th against Rush
Patriots: 21st vs Pass, 20th against Rush
DraftKings Sportsbook odds
Raiders: +5.5
Patriots: -5.5
Total: 48
Injury report
Raiders
OUT: T Trenton Brown (calf), LB Nick Kwiatkoski (pectoral), WR Henry Ruggs (knee, hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE: G Denzelle Good (thumb, illness), RB Josh Jacobs (hip), TE Darren Waller (knee), T Sam Young (groin)
Patriots
OUT: C David Andrews (hand), LB Josh Uche (ankle), RB James White (not injury related)
QUESTIONABLE: DT Adam Butler (shoulder), S Kyle Dugger (foot), WR Julian Edelman (knee), WR N’Keal Harry (ankle), T Isaiah Wynn (calf)
Fantasy football start/sit advice
Raiders
Josh Jacobs, Running back, $7,300
The Raiders have a clear number one in the backfield and it’s Jacobs. He’ll be the best back New England’s defense will have seen through three weeks. He’s come just short of 100 yards rushing both weeks, but hit pay dirt three times against the Saints. He’s also been productive as a pass catcher on the young season.
Darren Waller, Tight end, $5,700
Waller had a career game against New Orleans and he proved to be a security blanket of sorts for Carr in a WR corps full of new faces. Raiders coach Jon Gruden hasn’t made it a secret he’s a fan of Waller’s and does whatever he can to get the ball in his hands.
Patriots
N’Keal Harry, Wide receiver, $4,200
Harry was on the field for 85% of New England’s offensive snaps against a very good pass defense in Seattle. He was the Pats second leading receiver, behind Edelman’s career day, with eight catches and 72 yards. He’s clearly a big part of what the team wants to do on offense, so against a iffy pass defense like Las Vegas he could have a big day.
Cam Newton, quarterback, $6,700
Newton accounted for more than 95% of New England’s total yards against Seattle and had a hand in all three offensive touchdowns scored.