The Las Vegas Raiders are one of the most puzzling teams in the NFL this season. One week they look like they're Super Bowl contenders, and the next they're losing games by 30-plus points.
The Jets, on the other hand, do not have very much uncertainty around them. They are, by far, the worst team in the NFL and have not shown many signs of good things to come in the future.
The Week 13 matchup featuring the Jets and the Raiders, however, may be closer than you may think.
Here are 4 bold predictions for the Week 13 matchup, Raiders vs. Jets.
1. Derek Carr will throw for over 300 yards and 4 TDs
Derek Carr has quietly been having an MVP-caliber season for the Raiders, throwing for over 2,600 yards, 19 touchdowns, and only four interceptions on the season. His completion percentage is also hovering around 70 percent putting him near the top of the league.
Last week, Carr played a struggling Atlanta Falcons defense, but he had a lot of trouble getting anything going. Carr failed to record a touchdown for the second time this season and even threw an interception.
How did Carr respond after the his last scoreless performance?
He was masterful, putting up 275 and three touchdowns against the Kansas City Chiefs. Imagine what he's going to do against the Jets. Gang Green ranks 30th in the NFL in pass defense and allow almost 300 yards per game.
Expect Carr to have a strong bounce back game against the Jets and light up the score board at least four times.
2. The Raiders will have 3 or more takeaways
It's not that bold of a take considering the Jets' struggles with giving away the ball this season, but three takeaways is still pretty substantial.
The Raiders have had their own trouble defending the pass this season, ranking 27th in the NFL, but that could change after their matchup with the Jets.
The fact that the Raiders have struggled against the pass makes me believe that the Jets will air out the ball more. With Sam Darnold under center, that isn't the most turnover-proof plan. Darnold has recorded only three touchdowns to his eight interceptions this season.
The Raiders pass defense makes that ratio even more lopsided. Get ready to see a lot of turnovers.
3. Raiders will win by 30-plus points
The Raiders are coming off back-to-back losses for the first time this season and it's difficult to foresee head coach Jon Gruden taking that very lightly. After a heartbreaker to the Chiefs, the Raiders had one of the worst performances of the season losing to the Falcons by 37.
Not only are the Raiders expected to come out aggressive, but the NFL lobbed them a softball and gave them a game against the Jets.
The Jets are the only winless team left in the NFL and have not hit their stride whatsoever this season. From offense to defense, this team is dysfunctional.
Even without Josh Jacobs in the lineup, Derek Carr should be able to do whatever he wants on the offensive end. Expect the Raiders to score upwards of 40 points on Sunday.
Defensively, the Raiders should have a field day against the Jets. The Jets rank dead last in the NFL in points scored, averaging fewer than 14 points per game. It's doubtful that they exceed that total against the Raiders.
4. Nathan Peterman or Marcus Mariota will make an appearance
With the Raiders up so big on the Jets, expect that either Nathan Peterman or Marcus Mariota will make an appearance for the first time this season.
It would be nice to see former second-overall pick, Marcus Mariota, take the field in the silver and black, however, he ranks third on the depth chart behind the very infamous, Nathan Peterman.
Peterman has made a legacy for himself in the NFL, but not exactly the legacy that you want. Peterman's interception ratio quadruples his touchdown ratio, which isn't exactly what you want to see from your quarterback.
Regardless of who gets subbed in at QB, the Raiders will be up so big that we see at least one of them.
Overall
This game really should not even be close. Coming off their first pair of consecutive losses this season, it's unlikely that the Raiders will lose a third in a row.
Derek Carr will redeem himself this week with a monster performance, putting his name back into the MVP race. The Raiders secondary will bounce back from a tough loss to the Falcons, and there may even be a Nathan Peterman appearance to top it all off.
The Jets…well, they'll just be the Jets.
The Raiders will win big on Sunday.
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