Last Week: Bye

Raiders’ players had a chance to get away and relax ahead of the final nine weeks of the regular season; coach Rich Bisaccia didn’t give them much directive, except to “get rest, be really smart and run.” Bisaccia indicated that both tight end Darren Waller, who missed the Raiders’ last game with a rolled ankle, and running back Josh Jacobs, who left in the second quarter with a chest contusion, are expected to return for Week 9. But it will be at least one more week until other key injured players, such as guard Richie Incognito, cornerback Trayvon Mullen and cornerback Damon Arnette, return.

This Week: Raiders (5-2) at Giants (2-5 at press time)

When: Sunday, November 7, 10 a.m.

Where: MetLife Stadium

TV: CBS (Channel 8)

Radio: 920-AM, 92.3-FM

Betting line: Raiders -2.5, over/under 47.5

Matchup: The Giants look like the worst team left on the Raiders’ schedule, having been below average on both offense and defense. A gauntlet lies ahead the next three weeks, however, when the Raiders will have games against three Super Bowl contenders in the Chiefs, Bengals and Cowboys. It would be dramatic to call an interconference game a must-win for a team sitting near the top of the AFC standings, but it sure could give the Raiders some breathing room in the playoff picture. Las Vegas hasn’t played the Giants since 2017 (a 24-17 victory), but it will be traveling to East Rutherford, New Jersey, for the third straight year, having split a pair of games there with the Jets in 2019 and 2020.

Raider to Watch: Defensive end Maxx Crosby

To the surprise of virtually everyone, the third-year edge rusher was the Raiders’ best player over the first half of the season. He led the NFL in QB pressures (47) through the first seven weeks. Those outside of the organization have been stunned by the progress of the former fourth-round pick out of Eastern Michigan. Internally, Las Vegas anticipated a leap from Crosby but still expected to be an offense-first team. The Raiders’ offense has played well enough, but the defense has been more consistent overall, and it has all started with Crosby’s pass rush. He’s likely to continue his success against a mediocre, beaten-up Giants offensive line.

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