On Sunday, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs face the Las Vegas Raiders. We welcome Matt Holder of Silver and Black Pleasure — our sister SBNation web site protecting the Raiders — for 5 Questions with the Enemy.
1) How is the Antonio Pierce rent seen amongst Raiders followers? Is he nonetheless the best man for the job, or did they overreact to a few large moments and keep on with the interim?
Pierce’s hiring was extra controversial inside Raider Nation than I feel most outsiders notice. Lots of followers needed Mark Davis to rent Jim Harbaugh as a substitute. Personally, I don’t suppose Harbaugh was all that desirous about heading to Las Vegas and would take the Los Angeles Chargers’ job over the Raiders’ place.
The explanation why I level that out is the division has continued through the common season. Some followers wish to see Pierce gone. Others acknowledge that the quarterback state of affairs has been terrible and the roster wasn’t/isn’t adequate to beat that. That being mentioned, Pierce hasn’t finished himself any favors with poor recreation administration and his controversial ”enterprise selections” remark. He’ll in all probability get one other yr to show himself but it surely undoubtedly looks like he’s on the hotseat to complete the marketing campaign.
2) The Raiders kickstarted NFL commerce deadline season by predictably sending Davante Adams to the Jets. Are there every other gamers you see being traded earlier than November 5?
To handle the elephant within the room, Maxx Crosby isn’t going wherever. Crosby has maintained that he desires to make it work with the Raiders — and so long as he desires to be in Las Vegas, he’ll be there. The offseason might be a special story, however I don’t see the group dealing Maxx till the draft order is ready and it is aware of precisely what it’ll get within the commerce.
Different gamers I might see getting traded are linebacker Robert Spillane, security Tre’von Moehrig and huge receiver Jakobi Meyers. Spillane and Moehrig are impending free brokers. The staff additionally has a number of younger linebackers and safeties they may wish to give extra enjoying time down the stretch of the season. Meyers is beneath contract in 2025, however he might fetch a good return since there have been so many accidents at huge receiver across the league this yr. Additionally, he may not be a part of the Raiders’ long-term plans with only one yr left on his deal after this one.
3) The Raiders are seemingly heading for important overhaul within the offseason. Apart from apparent names like Maxx Crosby and Brock Bowers, who’re some official constructing blocks on the roster not sufficient folks find out about?
I’d put Christian Wilkins in that class, too — however I feel most individuals already find out about him. Cornerback Nate Hobbs has been an excellent nickel again for the protection over the previous few seasons, however he’s on a contract yr so he’ll must get re-signed within the offseason. Second-year nook Jakorian Bennett has proven some progress this season and might be a viable starter shifting ahead. Defensively, I’d say these three plus Crosby are the constructing blocks. Some folks may put cornerback Jack Jones in that class, however Jones has been dangerous this yr.
Rookie offensive linemen Jackson Powers-Johnson and DJ Glaze have every had their moments to counsel they are often constructing blocks shifting ahead, however each have struggled with consistency in yr one. Guard Dylan Parham has been having a profession yr in his third season, so the way forward for the offensive line is promising. On the ability positions exterior of Bowers, huge receiver Tre Tucker has proven some promise as a possible No. 2 receiver and deep risk.
4) The Raiders tried going ‘all in’ to shut the hole with Kansas Metropolis by bringing in Adams and Chandler Jones to a lot fanfare two years in the past. The place do you see them going after this season to enhance the roster?
I feel the first focus in Las Vegas this offseason will likely be on the draft. Clearly, they should discover a quarterback. It’s powerful to get one in free company — because the group has discovered that out the laborious manner during the last two years. I see them attempting to get youthful quite than going after big-name free brokers or veterans on the commerce block.
5) What degree do you count on this staff to rise to for a house recreation in opposition to the Chiefs? What has to occur to ship one other surprising win?
I feel the Raiders could have some additional motivation this weekend like they all the time do on this rivalry. Nonetheless, I don’t suppose they’ve the expertise to maintain up — and the Chiefs will undoubtedly be trying to avenge their final loss.
To tug off the upset, Gardner Minshew goes to must play like a serviceable beginning quarterback. The issue is we haven’t seen that from him exterior of the second half in opposition to the Ravens in Week 2. Minshew is the first purpose for lots of the offense’s struggles. Three of his 4 turnovers final Sunday led to all 20 of the Rams’ factors. The opposite one got here on the Raiders’ final drive to finish the sport. I’m not holding out a lot hope that the Silver and Black pull off an upset this weekend.
You should definitely try the solutions I gave to their questions by clicking right here.
