Last Week: Raiders 34, Broncos 24
In its Week 6 trip to Denver, Las Vegas looked nothing like the team that had struggled offensively during a two-game losing streak. The Raiders’ offense had its best game of the season, racking up 426 yards—and an average of 8.2 yards per play—to move into a first-place tie with the Chargers in the AFC West standings. Los Angeles holds the tiebreaker by virtue of its Week 4 victory against Las Vegas, but if the Raiders play like they did against the Broncos the rest of the year, they have a real chance at their first division title since 2002.
This Week: Eagles (2-4) at Raiders (4-2)
When: Sunday, October, 24, 1:05 p.m.
Where: Allegiant Stadium
TV: Fox (Channel 5)
Radio: 920-AM, KOMP-92.3
Betting line: Raiders -3, over/under 48
Matchup: Based on preseason betting odds, this shaped up as the Raiders’ easiest game of the year. The line has trimmed since then, going from -4 to -3, since the Eagles have been better than expected, but this remains a spot where the Raiders can ill afford to slip up. It’s the final game before their bye week, and the schedule ramps up in terms of difficulty from here. The Raiders will need to limit the Eagles’ aggressive, pass-heavy offense, which is led by second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts. Philadelphia has also played well in the defensive backfield, ranking seventh in the NFL in giving up 6.4 yards per pass attempt.
Raider to Watch: Cornerback Brandon Facyson
With cornerbacks Trayvon Mullen and Damon Arnette injured, the physical 6-foot-2, 197-pound Facyson came out of nowhere to help shore up the Raiders’ secondary. Facyson relieved second-year cornerback Amik Robertson, who struggled, and made an immediate impact with an interception in Denver territory. Facyson continued to play well in coverage the rest of the game and will likely serve in a starting role next to the stellar duo of Casey Hayward and Nate Hobbs. The Raiders claimed the 27-year-old Facyson off the Chargers’ practice squad following Week 4 and might have found an unexpected keeper.
