Final Prediction: Las Vegas Raiders vs. New Orleans Saints
Henderson, Nev. -- Entering tonight's Monday Night Football contest between the Las Vegas Raiders (1-0) and the New Orleans Saints (1-0), one team will hit it lucky on the famed strip.
Both teams are very talented with high potent offenses. The New Orleans Saints defense is more developed, but the Las Vegas Raiders are developing and ripe with more talent, albeit young.
Time of Possession...
The Las Vegas Raiders must own the time of possession. In this 60-minute game, they are looking for a 35-25 margin. The Saints have a ferocious defense against the run. The Raiders love to run behind talented running back Josh Jacobs.
Jon Gruden and the Raiders are not going to abandon what they do, but they will have to change the direction while still getting to the result of running the football.
With two shut-down corners on the Saints defense, the multi-talented Raiders will have to spread the ball around. Last week Derek Carr threw to nine different receivers. That is the same recipe as last week.
The more Carr can engage receivers who are not one-on-one with a lock-down corner will force the Saints not to stack the scrimmage line. The key to this game is passing when you want to and not when you have to.
Gruden loves to use the run to set up the pass. I love that philosophy. Against the Saints, he will need to use the passing game to set up the running game.
The longer the Raiders have the ball, the Saints defense will wear down. That is why the time of possession is imperative for the men in Silver and Black.
The Rule of Five...
Remember the rule of five. If the Las Vegas Raiders win that, games are over. For those who don't remember it, it has to do with sacks and turnovers. If the Raiders have three sacks and give up two, that means they are plus-one. If they then get four turnovers and give up only one, that means they are plus-three. That would give them a plus-four for the day. They want to get to a plus-five ratio every game. Teams that reach the rule of five scenarios win 91 percent of their games.
Extra Point…
Tonight is the first game at the brand-new Allegiant Stadium, AKA, "The Death Star." It will be empty of fans at a price tag of $2 billion, but it is still the Raiders' new home.
Raider Maven has written extensively about the emotion and camaraderie on this team. It would be a no-brainer to pick the Raiders tonight if this place as full of the Silver and Black fans.
Prediction…
The emotion of Monday Night Football, mixed with the opening of a new stadium, is enormous. Before I learned, fans would not be allowed; I predicted the Raiders to win.
After the loss of the fans, I changed my prediction.
But after watching the game film from last week four times, I am going against the bettors in Vegas to side with the Silver and Black from Las Vegas.
Derek Carr worked this summer with receivers, even while the facility was closed. Defenders can't do that. With no spring or preseason, I ascertained some of the youthful mistakes and errors from a lack of practice last week.
Carr is superb at protecting the football and avoiding turnovers. The Raider defense is on the rise. In the end, I think the Raiders get their second turnover of the night on a late Johnathan Abram fumble recovery, and Daniel Carlson boots a 44-yard field goal as time expires for the 38-35 win.
How to watch or listen to the big game?
Radio: Raider Nation Radio
Odds: Saints -5.5
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