Last Week: Titans 24, Raiders 22
Derek Carr tried to fit a two-point conversion pass into a small window for tight end Darren Waller, but Titans defenders Dylan Cole and Kevin Byarddeflected the ball near the line to kill the Raiders’ hopes of forcing overtime. It was an anticlimactic end to a strong second-half comeback for the Raiders, who trailed 24-10 at halftime. The Las Vegas defense went from nonexistent, allowing the Titans to score touchdowns on each of their first three drives, to stingy in the second half. Wide receiver Mack Hollins led the offense, setting career highs with eight catches for 158 yards, including several highlights, like a fourth-down touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone before the unsuccessful two-point conversion.
This Week: Broncos (2-1) at Raiders (0-3)
When: Sunday, October 2, 1:25 p.m.
Where: Allegiant Stadium
TV & Radio: Channel 8 & 920 AM/92.3 FM
Betting line: Raiders -1.5, over/under 46
Matchup: The Raiders haven’t lost to the Broncos in four attempts since moving to Las Vegas, but both teams underwent major makeovers in the offseason. Denver brought on new coach Nathaniel Hackett, formerly the Green Bay Packers’ offensive coordinator, and quarterback Russell Wilson. The results have been mixed so far. Denver’s offense has been mediocre at best, struggling both with three-and-outs and finishing in the red zone. Its defense has been key in back-to-back wins, which have come by a total of five points. Carr will have to be prepared for both an impactful pass rush (led by edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Randy Gregory) and a rising defensive backfield (led by cornerbacks Patrick Surtain II and Ronald Darby).
Raider to watch: Wide receiver Davante Adams
After attracting 17 targets in his Raiders debut in Week 1, Adams has only been targeted 17 times total over the past two games. He estimates he’s getting double-teamed 95% of the time, which partially explains why he has had just seven catches for 48 yards the past two weeks. Defenses have wanted to take away Adams, and McDaniels has allowed them to do so by not forcing plays for him. But Adams says he knows how to manage double teams, something he did the past several years with the Packers. The Raiders need to trust him and go to him more often for their offense to reach its potential.
Click HERE to subscribe for free to the Weekly Fix, the digital edition of Las Vegas Weekly! Stay up to date with the latest on Las Vegas concerts, shows, restaurants, bars and more, sent directly to your inbox!
