The New York Jets are running out of opportunities to turn their season around, and Sunday's matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders presents a chance to stop the bleeding. At 2-5, Aaron Glenn's team has lost two straight games, includinga frustrating divisional defeat against the previously winless Miami Dolphins
. Another setback would make an already disappointing season considerably more difficult to salvage.Fortunately for New York, theRaiders aren't exactly arriving in peak condition. Las Vegas has dropped four consecutive games after opening the season 3-0, and its recent offensive struggles have created some questions of its own. Neither team can afford another afternoon of wasted opportunities, making this an interesting matchup between
two teams looking to rediscover their footing.
There are reasons to believe the Jets can finally put together a complete performance at MetLife Stadium. Here are five bold predictions for Week 8.
Geno Smith and Garrett Wilson connect for 100-plus receiving yards and a touchdown
Garrett Wilson, Jets fans, and plenty of people covering the team will be happy campers after this one. Wilson has too often been an afterthought in an offense that needs its best playmakers involved, and Sunday presents an opportunity to change that narrative.
Smith and Wilson connect for more than 100 receiving yards, with the star wideout finding the end zone. After all the discussion about getting Wilson more opportunities, the Jets finally make that connection a central part of their offensive production.
Ashton Jeanty finishes with fewer than 65 rushing yards
Ashton Jeanty ran for 102 yards in the Raiders' season opener, but he hasn't come close to that production since. He hasn't exceeded 58 rushing yards in any subsequent game, and his highest rushing total over Las Vegas' last three outings was just 27 yards.
Now he faces a Jets defense that he decided to publicly criticize before the game. Jeanty questioned whether some New York defenders actually want to tackle, so the motivation factor shouldn't be difficult to find. The Jets respond by limiting him to 65 yards or fewer, making the Raiders running back work for everything he gets.
The Jets intercept Kirk Cousins
Cousins threw three interceptions combined during the first two weeks of the season before posting a clean outing in Week 3. Since then, he's developed an alternating pattern of games with an interception and games without one. He avoided a turnover against Kansas City in Week 7, which puts him in line for another costly mistake.
The Jets' defense has playmakers capable of taking advantage when opposing quarterbacks become careless. Cousins has already demonstrated that he can put the football in harm's way, and New York breaks up his turnover-free streak by coming away with an interception.
New York rushes for 150 yards and a touchdown
The Jets enter Week 8 averaging 96.4 rushing yards per game, while Las Vegas has surrendered 143.6 yards per contest. That is a substantial difference in production, and New York has an opportunity to take advantage of a defense that has struggled to contain opposing ground attacks.
The prediction calls for 150 rushing yards and at least one touchdown. Establishing the run would also help take pressure off Smith, give the offense some balance and make the Raiders defend the entire field rather than simply anticipating another passing attempt.
The Jets win a back-and-forth affair
New York has scored at least 23 points in three games this season. In its other four outings, the offense has failed to reach 19 points, making consistency a significant concern heading into Sunday.
The Raiders need this victory just as badly, having lost four straight, so neither team should lack motivation. This one turns into a back-and-forth affair, with both offenses finding enough production to keep the outcome in doubt late. Ultimately, the Jets make a few more plays when it matters and escape with a much-needed victory. Prediction: Jets 27, Raiders 24.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets vs. Raiders: 5 bold predictions for Week 8
