The Las Vegas Raiders Wild Card Playoff matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals should be a closely fought battle between two of the up-and-coming teams out of the AFC. Ahead of the Raiders-Bengals game, we'll be making out Bengals Wild Card predictions.

A matchup against Joe Burrow and the Bengals is never going to be easy, especially given the form the Bengals' QB enters this matchup in. The Bengals have won the last three games Burrow started, including key wins over the Ravens and Chiefs.

For more insight on the Raiders' Wild Card playoff matchup against the Bengals, listen below:

Cincinnati's offense has been dominant of late, and they'll present a tall task for the Raiders, particularly in the secondary. This game will be all about containing Joe Burrow, something which has been nearly impossible for teams to do over the past month. The Bengals ended the year as AFC North champions, going 10-7 in the regular season.

The Raiders, on the other hand, also finished the year with a 10-7 record. Las Vegas was 6-7 before rallying to win their final four games of the year against the likes of the Browns, Broncos, Colts, and Chargers. Their recent turnaround secured them a Wild Card berth and sent the Chargers packing after their Week 18 overtime matchup ended with a game-winning field goal in favor of Vegas.

The Raiders got hot at the right time and vaulted themselves into the playoffs, and they'll be looking to continue their win streak on Saturday. If the Raiders can find a way to contain Burrow and Co. early on in Saturday's game, they'll have a good chance at jumping out to a lead and holding onto it.

With that in mind, let's move on to our Raiders Wild Card Playoff predictions.

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Las Vegas Raiders Wild Card Playoff Predictions

4. Maxx Crosby gives Joe Burrow headaches

The Las Vegas Raiders would not be in the playoffs had it not been for the sheer effort and work rate from defensive end Maxx Crosby. Crosby was constantly getting after Justin Herbert in Week 18, seemingly pressuring the quarterback just about every time he dropped back to pass.

If Crosby can get a similar advantage in the trenches against the Bengals, there's no reason the star defensive end can't make Burrow's night a living hell. Crosby sacked Herbert twice in the win, and the Bengals' offensive line is even worse than the Chargers'.

Burrow has been sacked a total of 21 times over his past five games, and with the Bengals' OL offering as much protection as a revolving door, Crosby could be in for a big night.

3. Derek Carr and Hunter Renfrow combine for huge night

Derek Carr is finally in the playoffs. The Raiders' QB has never featured in a playoff game throughout his eight-year career, but that will change on Saturday when he takes the field during the Wild Card game. Carr will be hopeful to have a strong start in his first playoff game, and in order to do so he'll need to be in sync with Hunter Renfrow.

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Carr and Renfrow developed a strong rapport over the course of the 2021 season, with the latter finishing the year with 103 receptions, 1,038 yards, and nine touchdown catches. He was far and away the Raiders' most targeted player throughout the year, so expect Carr to continue that trend and feed his top wideout. The duo could be in line for a monster performance against the Bengals if they can find a strong rhythm early on.

2. Josh Jacobs proves he's the Raiders' closer

After a big game in Week 18 during the Raiders' win over the Chargers, Josh Jacobs declared himself the Raiders' closer. Jacobs was unstoppable in the win, racking up 132 rushing yards on 26 carries, scoring one rushing touchdown. He'll be looking to build off that performance on Saturday, as well as back up his bold claims about being the team's closer.

Jacobs struggled in his previous matchup with the Bengals, recording nine rushes for 37 yards, so he'll want to erase that memory and replace it with a much better one. Over the past three weeks, Jacobs has rushed for more than 125 yards twice and scored two touchdowns during that span. He's playing his best football of the season and will be carrying that momentum into the Wild Card round, where he could prove to be Las Vegas' X factor.

1. Raiders escape with hard-fought win

If the Raiders have shown fans one thing this season, it's that they're a team that does not give up. Derek Carr has shown poise and leadership throughout the season, and he'll be providing the same energy in his first-ever playoff game. The Raiders were handed a heavy beatdown, 32-13, the last time they faced the Bengals back in Week 11.

The Raiders have made serious strides since then, rallying under interim head coach Rich Bisaccia in order to turn their season around. They look like an entirely different team than they did earlier in the year, and they could use that to their advantage to stun the Bengals on Saturday.