Raiders Week 17 Preview vs. Colts

The Raiders come into this week 17 preview after playing the Grinch on Christmas Day in Kansas City.

After winning 20-14 in Arrowhead Stadium, the Raiders will go to Indianapolis firmly back in the playoff hunt. Looking at this week 17 preview, the Raiders playoff chances are very much alive. They need some things to go their way, but they’re alive.

Raiders Week 17 Preview vs. Colts

The first step for the Raiders is to win out. That includes winning this week against the Colts and their backup quarterback Gardner Minshew.

If you’ve been a Raiders fan since their days in Oakland, this game might be a little more personal. Gardner Minshew was the last quarterback to win a football game at the Oakland Coliseum when the Jaguars controversially beat the Raiders in Oakland in 2019, a game that kept the Raiders from making the playoffs that season.

On top of that, the Colts and Raiders have had some heated clashes over recent years. 2016 on Christmas Eve was infamous for Derek Carr breaking his leg against the Colts in a Raiders win. In 2021, the Raiders came into Indianapolis under extremely similar circumstances as this season and came away with another win on a Daniel Carlson game-winning field goal after a clutch catch by Hunter Renfrow.

Last season, the Colts infamously came into Las Vegas with interim head coach Jeff Saturday and beat the Raiders in the only game that Jeff Saturday won the entire year. What made it worse was that Jeff Saturday had been coaching high school football with a losing record, and during the game 40-year-old quarterback Matt Ryan had a career-high 39-yard rush attempt.

A lot has changed in a year. The Raiders are a top-10 defensive team and coached by interim head coach Antonio Pierce. Since Pierce took over the job in week 9, the Raiders defense has the following ranks; 1st in points per game allowed(15.3), 5th in sacks(24.0), 13 takeaways(6th), and 4 defensive touchdowns(1st).

The Raiders need to keep their momentum rolling. Let’s get into this week 17 preview.

Matchups to Watch

Raiders Run Defense vs Jonathan Taylor

It’s been a bit of a tough season for Jonathan Taylor. After he ended a contract dispute with a 3-year $42 million deal, his stats this season have been pretty down.

He has yet to break 100 yards on the season in a single game, racking up 457 yards and only 5 touchdowns so far this season. He’s also averaging 3.9 yards per carry, which is the first time he’s averaged less than 4 yards per carry in his career.

Last week he had 43 yards on 18 carries. The Colts will likely be leaning on him now that we’re nearing the end of the season in hopes he can carry them to victory, especially with Minshew under center.

The Raiders run defense on the other hand has been stout. Especially after moving Tyree Wilson to the interior, which has allowed the rookie to finally prosper. Head coach Antonio Pierce compared him to former Giants and Raiders defensive lineman Justin Tuck and stated he thinks Wilson can play everywhere on the line just as Tuck did.

Other rushers like Adam Butler and Bilal Nichols have also contributed to the resurgent Raiders defense. That’s not to mention Defensive Player of the Year and Walter Payton Man of the Year candidate Maxx Crosby. Everybody knows about the great play of “Madd Maxx”. We also can’t neglect Malcolm Koonce, who has also had a breakout year on the other side of the line.

Linebacker Robert Spillane also seems to factor in on every tackle this season and I expect him in this week 17 preview to go out and have another big game. He’s going to be an X-factor for Sunday’s game due to his run-stopping abilities at the inside linebacker position.

As Antonio Pierce said, all 11 guys on the defense are matching Maxx Crosby’s energy. Looking at this week 17 preview, if the Raiders want to continue their winning ways, they need to shut down Jonathan Taylor the way that others have been able to this season.

What Offense Will Show Up?

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times for the Raiders offense. The Raiders put up 63 points on the Chargers on in week 15 featuring 4 touchdown passes by Aidan O’Connell. That was followed by an anemic performance by the passing game in Kansas City. Aidan O’Connell became the first Raiders quarterback since Jamarcus Russell in 2009 to have 10 consecutive incomplete passes.

Yet the Raiders became the first team since the Bengals in 2000 against the Broncos to win a game while not completing a pass after the 1st quarter. Looking at this week 17 preview, there’s no way the Raiders can win for the second time in a row while having a game like that.

Aidan O’Connell isn’t going to be the primary reason why the Raiders win games. He’s got to pick up his level of play for certain this week. The Raiders are facing a familiar adversary in Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, as he served the same role on Jon Gruden/Rich Bisaccia’s staff in 2021.

A Gus Bradley defense means lots of soft zone coverage. Bradley’s defenses tend to primarily run cover 3 looks with a heavy emphasis on the phrase “bend, but don’t break”. The Colts defense meanwhile this season ranks 22nd in total defense, 14th in pass defense, and 28th in rushing defense.

The passing offense needs to get itself together. I like the trend of not turning over the football through the air the last couple of weeks. But the drops last week along with general inaccuracy from “AOC” need to come to a halt. Weather won’t be a factor in a dome at Lucas Oil Stadium. Looking at this week 17 preview, the Raiders need more from the passing game to win.

The Power of Zeus or Will Josh Jacobs Return?

Antonio Pierce stated that Josh Jacobs is a game-time decision for Sunday’s game. Last week, Zamir White had a breakout performance on a big stage for the first time, being the only reason why the Raiders offense was even able to move the football. While Jacobs has been the bell-cow back for the Raiders since 2019, White might be on a hot streak. With Jacobs banged up, what direction will the Raiders go to in the backfield?

Jacobs is banged up with a quad injury and it might be best to rest him for another week so that way he is fresh for week 18 in case the Raiders win against the Colts and have a chance at a potential playoff spot. It’s also possible the Raiders are evaluating their running back options for 2024 since Jacobs is only on the franchise tag. He wants a massive contract extension to stick around after this season.

Looking at this week 17 preview, it would be great if Jacobs could suit up. But the Raiders would be wise to utilize both in a 2 back system the same way that every other team in the league is utilizing their backs. Last season, the Raiders and Titans were the only teams to designate more than 80% of their carries to 1 running back.

The Raiders need to keep Jacobs fresh while also evaluating if they’re going to bring him back next season. Health is always a factor and something to consider. Even if he’s unable to go, I expect White to go off for another big game similar to last season. As I stated above, the Colts have the 28th-ranked defense against the run.

For this week 17 preview, expect the Raiders running game to get ready for a big game against the Colts run defense.

Prediction:

The Raiders come into this game off the momentum of 2 big-time divisional wins against the Chargers and Chiefs. The Colts are coming in after getting whooped 29-10 by the Falcons. I think the Raiders have too much going for them for this one to go the other way.

In a way, this game reminds me of the one from the 2021 season. I think the Raiders have everything going for them right now with the defense leading the way. I think the Raiders need to go out and score some more on offense of course, but it’ll be the defense once again carrying them to victory.

The Colts have been playing solid since last week, but I think Sunday is the Raiders day leading to a week 18 showdown with the Broncos.

Final Score: Raiders 28 Colts 10