NFL Opening Week: Predicting All 16 Games As Pro Football Returns
Oakland Raiders @ New York Jets 1 PM CBS
Aug 22, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) scrambles against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
The match-up Oakland starts its season out with a bit of a surprise as rookie Derek Carr was named the starting quarterback for this game. This comes as a surprise as it was expected that Matt Schaub would have that honor. The Raiders running back tandem of Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew have the potential to be successful. The Jets will have Geno Smith under center for year two. His 2013 season was consistent and all over the place and if that continues, then Mike Vick will be waiting to take his place. After a tough couple of seasons, the Jets are behind Rex Ryan and there’s a sense of togetherness with this team.
Why Oakland will win: The Raiders have three capable receivers in James Jones, Rod Streater [888 yards in 2013] and Denarius Moore [2,054 yards in three seasons]. It will be on Carr to find them. Carr passed for 5,083 yards, 50 touchdowns and eight interceptions with Fresno State last season. In the preseason Carr won the starting quarterback job throwing for 326 yards and four touchdowns. His instincts have served him well to this point, but now that the games count it will be interesting to see if he can answer the call.
Why New York will win: The offense is going to be hit or miss really. Geno Smith now has Eric Decker [87 receptions and 1,288 yards with Denver in 2013] as well as Chris Johnson [7,965 yards in six seasons with Tennessee] and they will be counted on to rescue this offense. For me though, Dee Milliner needs to be the one that steps up. He had 56 total tackles and three interceptions in 2013, his rookie season. Still he was viewed as a disappointment and then during the off-season called himself the best cornerback in the NFL which is wrong for so many reasons. All Milliner has done is put the spotlight on him and now he has to rise to the occasion.
Final score: Oakland 25 Jets 16