Offense must step up again for star tight end
The Raiders will be without one of their top offensive weapons as Brock Bowers was placed on injured reserve this week.
The two-time Pro Bowl tight end has been battling through a knee injury sustained in the season opener against the New England Patriots which forced him to miss three games of action earlier this year.
In relief of Bowers, Michael Mayer, who had six receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown while Bowers was previously out of action, will have a chance to step up. Rookie UDFA Carter Runyon and veteran Ian Thomas could also be in line for more reps.
"It's always a next man up mindset," quarterbacks coach Greg Olson said Wednesday. "I think any coach that you've ever interviewed would tell you that. No one feels sorry for you. Nobody cares, to be honest with you. And as coaches, we preach that all the time within practice. Sometimes you'll pull a player out and make a backup step up to kind of prepare him for those situations. But the whole next man up mindset kind of carries you through."
Defensive depth on display
Two key defensive players will also be out Sunday in defensive end Maxx Crosby and safety Jeremy Chinn.
Chinn was added to injured reserve Wednesday, after starting all 15 games up to this point. He's has recorded the second-most total tackles (114) and solo tackles (63) on the team and is tied with Crosby for most forced fumbles with two.
Crosby was ruled out Friday due to a lingering knee injury, per Head Coach Pete Carroll.
With Chinn and Crosby out of action, this will give the likes of Tristin McCollum, Tyree Wilson and Charles Snowden a big opportunity against the Giants.
"The guys got to be ready to step up," defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said earlier in the week. "The injuries occur. We can't be worried about that. All other 31 teams are dealing with injuries."
Big Blue upfront
As for the Giants injury report, they'll be without starting left tackle Andrew Thomas (hamstring). The loss could play a pivotal factor for New York, as Thomas' 94 percent pass block win rate is eighth-highest among offensive tackles, per ESPN Analytics.
Their starting center, John Michael Schmitz, has been ruled doubtful with a finger injury and guard Evan Neal (neck) will not return to action either.
The Giants offensive line will depend on two players who are former Raiders, Jermaine Eluemunor and Greg Van Roten. The duo, who started alongside each other in Las Vegas in 2023, have been on the field together for 94 percent of all the Giants offensive snaps this season.
1K for Duece
All signs point to Ashton Jeanty getting the ball a lot this Sunday, as he comes off the best game of his career against the Houston Texans.
He was named Rookie of the Week after recording 188 scrimmage yards and two total touchdowns. Of those 188 yards, 128 came on the ground. His 24 carries against Houston was the most he's received in a game this season.
It would also be a wise decision to hand the ball off to him considering the Giants have allowed the third-most rushing yards and rushing touchdowns to opposing offenses.
"I think he's been more patient as he's recognized the timing that it takes at the line of scrimmage with our guys and working with our people," Carroll said of Jeanty's growth. "He's established himself as a threat as a catcher, and he's a good pass protection guy. I mean, all those things have developed during the course of the season, but I think if there's anything, he's more patient with seeing what he needs to see at the line of scrimmage. And if we give him a space, he's going to take it and go."
With 46 more scrimmage yards, Jeanty would join Brock Bowers (1,207) and Josh Jacobs (1,316) as the only three players in franchise history to record 1,200+ yards from scrimmage in their rookie season. Additionally with 172 rushing yards, he'll join Jacobs as the second player in franchise history to have 1,000 rushing yards in their rookie season.
Geno Smith vs. Brian Burns
Outside linebacker Brian Burns seems to be the biggest threat to the Raiders offense.
The three-time Pro Bowler ranks second in the league in quarterback sacks (15.0) and third in tackles for loss (20). While the Raiders have faced several dominant pass rushers this season, Burns' ability to equally match speed with power stands out.
"Brian Burns on the edge ... always been explosive his entire career," Geno Smith said. "Can bend, long arm, has all the traits."
While Burns and the Giants pass rush will pose a challenge for Smith, the Raiders quarterback has vastly improved in the late stretch of the season with 11 touchdown passes and a 68.3 completion percentage since Week 9.
"We're executing better ... starting with us just practicing better," Smith said. "I think we've done a great job throughout the year of obviously trying to work through a bunch of different things, but overall, just the consistency with the line up front with having [Alex] Cappa in there, who's been doing a great job. I thought Caleb [Rogers] did a great job in the previous game. And just everyone collectively has been getting better, and we're developing together as a team."
Streaks will come to an end, one way or another
The Raiders and the Giants are both trying to end nine-game losing skids, the longest active losing streaks in the league. This will also be the third game in NFL history between two teams 11+ games under .500.
History is in the favor of the Raiders, with a 6-2 home record against the Giants all-time and two consecutive home victories against them heading into this matchup.
As the Raiders prepare for their Week 17 matchup at Allegiant Stadium, take a look back at past matchups between the Silver and Black and the New York Giants.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler (12) throws a 26-yard touchdown pass during the regular season home game against the New York Giants at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, November 4, 1973, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders guard/tackle John Vella (75) and center Jim Otto (00) block during the regular season home game against the New York Giants at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, November 4, 1973, in Oakland, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders tight end Raymond Chester (88) makes a 37-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium, Sunday, December 21, 1980, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Los Angeles Raiders defensive back Stefon Adams (44) returns a kick off during the regular season home game against the New York Giants at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, September 21, 1986, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) makes a catch during the regular season home game against the New York Giants at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, September 21, 1986, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders defensive end/linebacker Greg Townsend (93) and linebacker Jerry Robinson (57) line up before the snap during the regular season away game against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium, Sunday, December 24, 1989, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Los Angeles Raiders linebacker Anthony Bell (59) makes a tackle during the regular season home game against the New York Giants at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 4, 1992, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the New York Giants at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 4, 1992, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders running back/tight end Todd Christensen (46) makes a catch during the regular season home game against the New York Giants at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, September 21, 1986, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders defensive tackle Jerry Ball (93) and linebacker Greg Biekert (54) make a tackle during the regular season away game against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium, Sunday, November 12, 1995, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett (16) looks for a receiver during the regular season home game against the New York Giants at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, September 22, 1986, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Randy Moss (18) heads to the end zone on a 44-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the New York Giants at McAfee Coliseum, Saturday, December 31, 2005, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell (2) hands the ball off to running back Michael Bush (29) during the regular season away game against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium, Sunday, October 11, 2009 in East Rutherford, N.J.
Oakland Raiders safety Michael Huff (24) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium, Sunday, October 11, 2009 in East Rutherford, N.J.
Oakland Raiders defensive back Tyvon Branch (33) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium, Sunday, October 11, 2009 in East Rutherford, N.J.
Oakland Raiders defensive back Mike Mitchell (34), linebacker Kirk Morrison (52) and defensive tackle Desmond Bryant (90) make a tackle during the regular season away game against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium, Sunday, October 11, 2009 in East Rutherford, N.J.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Lamarr Houston (99) celebrates after making a tackle during the regular season away game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, Sunday, November 10, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Oakland Raiders running back Rashad Jennings (27) rushes during the regular season away game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, Sunday, November 10, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Oakland Raiders defensive back Tracy Porter celebrates after returning an interception 43-yards for a touchdown during the regular season away game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, Sunday, November 10, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) passes during the regular season away game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, Sunday, November 10, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Oakland Raiders running back/defensive back Taiwan Jones (22) returns a kickoff during the regular season away game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, Sunday, November 10, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Denarius Moore (17) runs after making a catch during the regular season away game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, Sunday, November 10, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) hands the ball off to running back Marshawn Lynch (24) during the regular season home game against the New York Giants at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 3, 2017, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) recovers a fumble during the regular season home game against the New York Giants at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 3, 2017, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch (24) rushes during the regular season home game against the New York Giants at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 3, 2017, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) makes a tackle during the regular season home game against the New York Giants at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 3, 2017, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) and linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) make a tackle during the regular season home game against the New York Giants at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 3, 2017, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back DeAndre Washington (33) rushing for a 9-yard touchdown during the regular season home game against the New York Giants at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 3, 2017, in Oakland, Calif.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) pressures the quarterback during the regular season away game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, Sunday, November 7, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, Sunday, November 7, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) makes a catch during the regular season away game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, Sunday, November 7, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Kenyan Drake (23) runs after making a catch during the regular season away game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, Sunday, November 7, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) rushes for a 17-yard touchdown during the regular season home game against the New York Giants at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, November 5, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) makes a catch during the regular season home game against the New York Giants at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, November 5, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) passes during the regular season home game against the New York Giants at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, November 5, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) goes to make a tackle during the regular season home game against the New York Giants at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, November 5, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jesper Horsted (80) and safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) make a tackle during the regular season home game against the New York Giants at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, November 5, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nev.
