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CHRIS SZAGOLA/CSM /LANDOV
Raiders middle linebacker Nick Roach (53) will be key to stopping the Jets’ rushing attack.
RAIDERS AT JETS, METLIFE STADIUM, 1 P.M.
LINE: Jets by 3
TV: Ch. 2 (Marv Albert , Rich Gannon )
RADIO: WEPN 98.7 FM (Bob Wischusen, Marty Lyons), in Spanish on WEPN 1050 AM (Clemson Smith Muniz, Oscar Benitez)
FORECAST: Cloudy, mid-30s, 5 mph winds, chance of snow.
INJURY REPORT
Raiders RB Rashad Jennings has been going through the concussion protocol. If he isn’t cleared, the Raiders would be in a real bind with Darren McFadden (ankle) and Jeremy Stewart (knee, ankle) also banged up. Taiwan Jones was moved from CB as an emergency option. WR Denarius Moore (shoulder), LB Kaluka Maiava (calf) and OG Mike Brisiel (knee) are out. S Tyvon Branch could return for limited snaps after missing 10 games with an ankle injury. The Jets placed return man Josh Cribbs on IR. Ex-Titan Darius Raynard was signed to replace him. Otherwise, the Jets will have all available hands on deck, including WR Jeremy Kerley (elbow).
KEY MATCHUP
RB Chris Ivory vs. MLB Nick Roach
With Geno Smith an absolute mess, where else is the Jets offense going to come from? Ivory has actually averaged 5.4 yards per carry during the Jets’ three-game losing streak. It just hasn’t mattered much. Still, if Ivory can at least affect field position, the Jets can stay in this one. Interestingly enough, the Raiders have lost all eight games where they’ve allowed more than 100 yards on the ground and won all four where they haven’t. Roach never leaves the field for good reason. He’s pretty good.
SCOUT SAYS
“Matt McGloin has been playing above his talent level because he gets rid of the ball quickly and he doesn’t turn it over. He’s also developed a good chemistry with Andre Holmes (seven catches, 136 yards vs. Cowboys). He’s got size and physicality, a great vertical and he competes for every ball. McGloin will just let him go get it at times. The Jets will want to keep him away from Dee Milliner but, look, (Antonio) Cromartie has been nothing special. The Raiders use a variety of blitzes and they’ll get sacks from everywhere. Smith has been almost panicking as soon as he senses pressure. This isn’t the best spot for him.”
INTANGIBLES
For both teams, the season is less about making the playoffs now than it is finding what to do at the quarterback spot – and just how high they’ll pick in a QB-rich draft. For the Raiders, Dennis Allen wants to continue to get a look at both McGloin and Terrelle Pryor, who showed so much promise earlier this year. The Jets, of course, have to make some sort of fish-or-cut-bait decision on Smith. With their offense so inept, things have been bleak around the Jets. Rex Ryan has tried to accentuate the positive by lauding his team’s work during practice this week. But as Bill Parcells was fond of saying, they’re not playing solitaire out there. Raiders have lost 12 straight in the eastern time zone.
PREDICTION
JETS, 17-6: It’s going to take longer than one week for Geno to get out of this.
