AP
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) greets offensive tackle Kolton Miller, right, during an NFL football training camp practice Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020 | 2 a.m.
Is it possible for an NFL game to have playoff implications in Week 3?
Don’t scoff at the idea so quickly. With the Raiders off to a surprising 2-0 start and the league’s new, expanded postseason format making it easier to qualify for the playoffs, Las Vegas’ matchup at New England on Sunday has suddenly taken on the feel of a contest that will end up mattering late in the season.
It’s simply a numbers game. With seven playoff qualifiers per conference (four division winners and now three wild-card teams), an 8-8 record will likely be enough to secure a postseason spot. In that context, odds are good that Las Vegas and New England (1-1) will both be in the running in the final weeks.
And if (when?) that time comes, the Raiders are going to want a head-to-head victory over New England in their back pocket.
If Las Vegas is going to pull off its second road win of the year, it will probably take another high-voltage performance from the offense, because the defense has been shaky. The Raiders have allowed 6.7 yards per play this season, which currently ranks 31st out of 32 NFL teams, but Derek Carr, Josh Jacobs and Darren Waller have been able to overcome that by dominating time of possession and hanging 34 points on the scoreboard in each of the first two games.
The New England defense may be vulnerable. Though Bill Belichick has the league’s best secondary at his disposal, the team’s front seven has been uneven through two games. Last week, the Patriots allowed Seattle to run for 154 yards at a rate of 5.1 yards per carry; that should be inviting for Jacobs even though the Raiders will be without starting offensive linemen Trent Brown and Richie Incognito.
Defensively, the Raiders’ big challenge will be matching up with quarterback Cam Newton, who looks reinvigorated in New England. Newton passed for 397 yards and a touchdown last week, and through two games he has carried the ball 26 times for 122 yards and four TDs.
Jon Gruden said Newton appears to be back in prime form.
“It’s good to see him healthy again and doing what he has done to make himself an MVP caliber player in this league,” Gruden said. “He’ll be a handful for us. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.
