Familiar foe for Raiders QB
Kenny Pickett will be the starting quarterback for the Raiders this Sunday, as Geno Smith is sidelined due to shoulder and back injuries sustained against the Denver Broncos.
This will be Pickett's first start since Week 17 last season, when he was playing for the team he'll be facing this Sunday.
The 2022 first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers was traded to the Eagles in 2024 and won a Super Bowl championship with the team. In that Week 17 start, the Eagles throttled the Dallas Cowboys, 41-17, with Pickett going 10-of-15 for 143 passing yards and two total touchdowns.
"Just grateful to play this game where you get to meet people and build lifelong relationships," Pickett said of his former teammates. "I'll be friends with a lot of those guys for the rest of my life. It will be pretty cool going up against them on Sunday and I'm excited for it."
In relief of Smith last week, Pickett had a great showing, completing nearly 73 percent of his throws for 97 yards and a touchdown.
"He's been very open," quarterbacks coach Greg Olson said of Pickett, "and even just playing there, in talking with the other offensive players, really about what it's going to be like to play there in terms of noise and crowd factor. But yeah, he's very aware of kind of their personnel and has given some good insight."
A few more returns to Philadelphia
The Raiders quarterback won't be the only player facing his former team.
Defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV and safety Tristin McCollum were also on the Philadelphia Eagles' 2024 Super Bowl winning roster. Booker was traded to the Raiders this preseason and immediately became a key piece up front. In his 13 games played with 10 starts, he's set career highs in total tackles (34), quarterback hits (three) and pass deflections (three). McCollum, who was claimed off waivers back in August, has played nearly 80 percent of all special teams reps.
"They obviously have a very dynamic offense," Booker said. "They have a lot of playmakers. ... Offensive line is very, very well coached. Coach Stout [Jeff Stoutland] is definitely one of the best in the league. But for us, there's matchups and schemes that we can take advantage of to get them off schedule. At the end of the day, when you're playing an aggressive defense and you're playing a decisive defense, that's going to disrupt the offense enough that those playmakers can't get going."
Drop off in Eagles' rushing attack
A factor within some of the Eagles' recent offensive struggles has been the absence of All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson.
Johnson has been ruled out for a fourth straight game, having suffered a Lisfranc injury in their Week 11 win over the Lions. The Eagles have lost their previous three games, and with Johnson out of action, their rushing offense has taken a dramatic turn for the worse. Per NFL Next Gen Stats, the Eagles have averaged 4.6 yards per carry (84 carries) rushing to the right side with Johnson on the field. Under the same conditions without Johnson, 2.7 yards per carry.
Without the Eagles' dynamic tackle, Maxx Crosby could be in line for dominant showing to attack the run. He ranks second in the league in tackles for loss (25) and has the highest run-stop win rate (40 percent) among edge rushers, according to ESPN Analytics.
Nevertheless, it still won't be easy stopping the run against reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley. He's averaged nearly 67 rushing yards a game in their three-game losing streak, and recorded 122 yards and a touchdown on the ground against the Los Angeles Chargers last Monday. The Raiders defense has allowed 113.9 rushing yards per game, ranking right in the middle of the league at 16.
Pressure up front
Eagles Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jalen Carter has been ruled out due to injuries to both of his shoulders.
While Carter is a big-time playmaker in their defense, they have more than enough to make up production in his place.
Per Next Gen Stats, Nolan Smith (24.0%), Jalyx Hunt (19.4%) and Jaelan Phillips (17.6%) have each generated a pressure rate ranking inside the top 10 among 91 edge defenders with at least 50 pass rushes since Week 10. That trio of edge rushers also accounts for 7.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss this season. And that's without factoring in defensive tackle Jordan Davis in the middle, who's leading the team in sacks (4.5) and tackles for loss (seven).
"This week presents another significant challenge," Olson said of the Eagles defensive line. "They're playing very well up front, but each week we look at it. ... Every week presents a challenge, but this is a very good defensive front seven."
Let it snow
If you're traveling to Philadelphia, make sure you pack your heaviest coat.
Weather will affect the Raiders this week more than any other game this season, as a high of 32 degrees is predicted at Lincoln Financial Field. It's also expected to snow that morning, with precipitation subduing around the time of pregame warm ups.
It will be quite the adjustment for the Raiders, who practiced outside in 72 degree weather Friday afternoon.
"It's kind of cold at night here. We've had some cold nights lately," Pete Carroll joked. "We'll take care of it."
Get Brock going
Despite missing three games this season, Brock Bowers leads the Raiders with 53 receptions, 619 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.
While Bowers already holds the NFL record for the most receptions (165) by any tight end in their first two seasons, he needs 178 more receiving yards to set the record for most yards in a tight end's first two career seasons.
Unfortunately for the Raiders, there's not a better team in the NFL at limiting tight end production than the Philadelphia Eagles. They've allowed 428 receiving yards to opposing tight ends, the fewest in the league. Their three touchdowns allowed to tight ends is tied for the third-fewest in the league with the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and ironically, the Las Vegas Raiders.
As the Raiders get ready for their Week 15 matchup, take a look back at past matchups between the Silver and Black and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Carleton Oats (85) and defensive end Horace Jones (82) pressures the quarterback during the regular season home game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, October 17, 1971, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Don Highsmith (32) rushes for a 14-yard touchdown during the regular season home game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, October 17, 1971, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Art Thoms (80) pressures the quarterback during the regular season home game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, October 17, 1971, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive back Burgess Owens (44) makes a tackle during Super Bowl XV against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Louisiana Superdome, Sunday, January 25, 1981, in New Orleans, La.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Rod Martin (53) celebrates after intercepting a pass during Super Bowl XV against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Louisiana Superdome, Sunday, January 25, 1981, in New Orleans, La.
Oakland Raiders center/guard Dave Dalby (50) waits to snap the ball to quarterback Jim Plunkett (16) during Super Bowl XV against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Louisiana Superdome, Sunday, January 25, 1981, in New Orleans, La.
Oakland Raiders running back Kenny King (33) rushes during Super Bowl XV against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Louisiana Superdome, Sunday, January 25, 1981, in New Orleans, La.
Oakland Raiders tight end Raymond Chester (88) stiff arms the defender during Super Bowl XV against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Louisiana Superdome, Sunday, January 25, 1981, in New Orleans, La.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Cliff Branch (21) makes a 2-yard touchdown catch during Super Bowl XV against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Louisiana Superdome, Sunday, January 25, 1981, in New Orleans, La.
Oakland Raiders Owner Al Davis and Head Coach Tom Flores with broadcaster Bryant Gumbel and NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle in the locker room after Super Bowl XV against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Louisiana Superdome, Sunday, January 25, 1981, in New Orleans, La.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Anthony Smith (94) and defensive tackle Austin Robbins (95) defend during the regular season home game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, September 24, 1995, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker/defensive end Aaron Wallace (51), defensive end Anthony Smith (94) and defensive tackle Austin Robbins (95) huddle during the regular season home game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, September 24, 1995, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders center/guard/tackle Adam Treu (62) waits to snap the ball to quarterback Rich Gannon (12) during the regular season away game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Veterans Stadium, Sunday, October 28, 2001, in Philadelphia, Pa.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Kirk Morrison (52), linebacker Danny Clark (55) and defensive back Charles Woodson (24) make a tackle during the regular season away game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, Sunday, September 25, 2005, in Philadelphia, Pa.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Tommy Kelly (93) goes to make a tackle during the regular season away game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, Sunday, September 25, 2005, in Philadelphia, Pa.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Tommy Kelly (93), cornerback Renaldo Hill (22) and defensive end Bobby Hamilton (98) make a tackle during the regular season away game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, Sunday, September 25, 2005, in Philadelphia, Pa.
Oakland Raiders running back LaMont Jordan (34) rushes during the regular season away game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, Sunday, September 25, 2005, in Philadelphia, Pa.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp (99) pressures the quarterback during the regular season away game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, Sunday, September 25, 2005, in Philadelphia, Pa.
Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell (2) passes during the regular season home game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, October 18, 2009, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Jay Richardson (98) sacks the quarterback during the regular season home game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, October 18, 2009, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Justin Fargas (25) rushes during the regular season home game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, October 18, 2009, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Gary Russell (22) rushes during the regular season home game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, October 18, 2009, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive back Phillip Adams (28) makes a tackle during the regular season home game against the Philadelphia Eagles at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, November 3, 2013, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Rashad Jennings (27) rushes for an 8-yard touchdown during the regular season home game against the Philadelphia Eagles at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, November 3, 2013, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Nick Roach (53) sacks the quarterback during the regular season home game against the Philadelphia Eagles at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, November 3, 2013, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt McGloin (14) passes during the regular season home game against the Philadelphia Eagles at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, November 3, 2013, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Jack Crawford (91) makes a tackle during the regular season home game against the Philadelphia Eagles at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, November 3, 2013, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders strong safety Karl Joseph (42) and linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) make a tackle during the regular season away game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, Monday, December 25, 2017, in Philadelphia, Pa.
Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) rushes during the regular season away game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, Monday, December 25, 2017, in Philadelphia, Pa.
Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch (24) rushes during the regular season away game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, Monday, December 25, 2017, in Philadelphia, Pa.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Denico Autry (96) sacks the quarterback during the regular season away game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, Monday, December 25, 2017, in Philadelphia, Pa.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes during the regular season home game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, October 24, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, October 24, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) returns a punt during the regular season home game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, October 24, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Dallin Leavitt (32) makes a tackle during the regular season home game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, October 24, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nev.
