It took more than a half season for the Las Vegas Raiders to find their stride, with the Thursday primetime stage ahead to give their revival a little limelight.
Following an impressive 27-20 home victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, the Raiders head into the short week on a three-game winning streak. They'll hit the road to face the Los Angeles Rams, who are expected to have a new quarterback under center after claiming Baker Mayfield off waivers from the Carolina Panthers.
When the season started, the Raiders (5-7) were all about quarterback Derek Carr and his reunion with wide receiver Davante Adams, his former Fresno State teammate. But that connection took some time to rekindle itself.
When the Raiders have delivered success, it's been when running back Josh Jacobs has been able to shine. Jacobs had 144 yards rushing against the Chargers, with the Raiders now 5-1 when he gains 100 yards or more.
With 1,303 rushing yards, Jacobs is 457 yards away from breaking Marcus Allen's franchise record set in the 1985 season. He has 10 rushing TDs, five away from surpassing Pete Banaszak's franchise record set in 1975.
"I think (the offensive line) believes in me like I believe in them," said Jacobs, who is on this week's injury report with a quad contusion but is expected to play. "I encourage them guys all the time. I'm their biggest advocate. Even when they do bad, I tell them I believe in them. You can tell they lay it out on the line for me and that's a great feeling to have."
Carr and Adams showed just how much they are on the same page now with a pair of long TD passes that were key against the Chargers. The first was a 31-yard strike to give the Raiders a 17-13 lead early in the second half, before a 45-yard flea-flicker later in the third quarter for a 24-13 advantage.
Carr is 20 passing yards away from reaching 3,000 for the ninth time in nine seasons. Only Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson have accomplished that feat. Adams is 36 receptions away from becoming the first player in NFL history with 115 receptions in three consecutive seasons.
"We're definitely playing a better brand of football right now," Adams said. "(It's) complementary. When the offense isn't doing great, the defense goes out there to do their job and they hold teams to no scoring or stopping (opponents) in critical moments."
The last time the Rams (3-9) played complementary football was in the Super Bowl in February. Chances of a repeat title were doomed early, first by poor play, then by injuries that have devastated the roster.
Initially, it was the Los Angeles offensive line that was banged up. Now the Rams are without the top three players that led last year's title charge: quarterback Matthew Stafford (neck), wide receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) and defensive tackle Aaron Donald (ankle). None of the three are expected to play Thursday.
That led to Mayfield being claimed Thursday. The 27-year-old started six of the seven games he played in for Carolina after a trade last July, completing 57.8 percent of his passes for 1,313 yards and six touchdowns against six interceptions. The No. 1 overall selection in the 2018 draft by the Cleveland Browns is 30-35 as a starting QB.
The Rams are on a six-game losing streak and their last victory was so long ago, Christian McCaffrey was still a member of the Panthers when Los Angeles defeated Carolina in October.
"I've heard it said before, ‘Calm seas don't make good sailors,'" Rams head coach Sean McVay said, trying to be as optimistic as possible moving forward. "And know this: We're growing. I'm not going to allow this to be anything but a growth opportunity. You're going to continue to see us compete to the best of our ability, regardless of the circumstances."
Following an impressive 27-20 home victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, the Raiders head into the short week on a three-game winning streak. They'll hit the road to face the Los Angeles Rams, who are expected to have a new quarterback under center after claiming Baker Mayfield off waivers from the Carolina Panthers.
When the season started, the Raiders (5-7) were all about quarterback Derek Carr and his reunion with wide receiver Davante Adams, his former Fresno State teammate. But that connection took some time to rekindle itself.
When the Raiders have delivered success, it's been when running back Josh Jacobs has been able to shine. Jacobs had 144 yards rushing against the Chargers, with the Raiders now 5-1 when he gains 100 yards or more.
With 1,303 rushing yards, Jacobs is 457 yards away from breaking Marcus Allen's franchise record set in the 1985 season. He has 10 rushing TDs, five away from surpassing Pete Banaszak's franchise record set in 1975.
"I think (the offensive line) believes in me like I believe in them," said Jacobs, who is on this week's injury report with a quad contusion but is expected to play. "I encourage them guys all the time. I'm their biggest advocate. Even when they do bad, I tell them I believe in them. You can tell they lay it out on the line for me and that's a great feeling to have."
Carr and Adams showed just how much they are on the same page now with a pair of long TD passes that were key against the Chargers. The first was a 31-yard strike to give the Raiders a 17-13 lead early in the second half, before a 45-yard flea-flicker later in the third quarter for a 24-13 advantage.
Carr is 20 passing yards away from reaching 3,000 for the ninth time in nine seasons. Only Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson have accomplished that feat. Adams is 36 receptions away from becoming the first player in NFL history with 115 receptions in three consecutive seasons.
"We're definitely playing a better brand of football right now," Adams said. "(It's) complementary. When the offense isn't doing great, the defense goes out there to do their job and they hold teams to no scoring or stopping (opponents) in critical moments."
The last time the Rams (3-9) played complementary football was in the Super Bowl in February. Chances of a repeat title were doomed early, first by poor play, then by injuries that have devastated the roster.
Initially, it was the Los Angeles offensive line that was banged up. Now the Rams are without the top three players that led last year's title charge: quarterback Matthew Stafford (neck), wide receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) and defensive tackle Aaron Donald (ankle). None of the three are expected to play Thursday.
That led to Mayfield being claimed Thursday. The 27-year-old started six of the seven games he played in for Carolina after a trade last July, completing 57.8 percent of his passes for 1,313 yards and six touchdowns against six interceptions. The No. 1 overall selection in the 2018 draft by the Cleveland Browns is 30-35 as a starting QB.
The Rams are on a six-game losing streak and their last victory was so long ago, Christian McCaffrey was still a member of the Panthers when Los Angeles defeated Carolina in October.
"I've heard it said before, ‘Calm seas don't make good sailors,'" Rams head coach Sean McVay said, trying to be as optimistic as possible moving forward. "And know this: We're growing. I'm not going to allow this to be anything but a growth opportunity. You're going to continue to see us compete to the best of our ability, regardless of the circumstances."
in their last 12 games after accumulating more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
Raiders are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Raiders are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
Raiders are 5-17 ATS in their last 22 games in Week 14.
Raiders are 3-11 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
Raiders are 3-13 ATS in their last 16 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Raiders are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
games in December.
Rams are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Rams are 4-9-1 ATS in their last 14 games overall.
Rams are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 home games.
Rams are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Rams are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games on fieldturf.
Rams are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
Rams are 0-3-1 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Raiders last 5 Thursday games.
Under is 4-1 in Raiders last 5 games in December.
Under is 4-1 in Raiders last 5 games on fieldturf.
Under is 4-1 in Raiders last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Over is 13-4 in Raiders last 17 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 8-3 in Raiders last 11 games following a straight up win.
Under is 7-3 in Raiders last 10 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 7-3 in Raiders last 10 road games.
fieldturf.
Under is 7-1 in Rams last 8 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Under is 5-1 in Rams last 6 games after accumulating more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 8-3 in Rams last 11 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 7-3 in Rams last 10 games in Week 14.
Over is 9-4 in Rams last 13 games after accumulating less than 150 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 17-8 in Rams last 25 home games.
Head Trends
Raiders are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Raiders are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Raiders are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
Raiders are 5-17 ATS in their last 22 games in Week 14.
Raiders are 3-11 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
Raiders are 3-13 ATS in their last 16 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Raiders are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
games in December.
Rams are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Rams are 4-9-1 ATS in their last 14 games overall.
Rams are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 home games.
Rams are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Rams are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games on fieldturf.
Rams are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
Rams are 0-3-1 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Raiders last 5 Thursday games.
Under is 4-1 in Raiders last 5 games in December.
Under is 4-1 in Raiders last 5 games on fieldturf.
Under is 4-1 in Raiders last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Over is 13-4 in Raiders last 17 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 8-3 in Raiders last 11 games following a straight up win.
Under is 7-3 in Raiders last 10 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 7-3 in Raiders last 10 road games.
fieldturf.
Under is 7-1 in Rams last 8 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Under is 5-1 in Rams last 6 games after accumulating more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 8-3 in Rams last 11 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 7-3 in Rams last 10 games in Week 14.
Over is 9-4 in Rams last 13 games after accumulating less than 150 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 17-8 in Rams last 25 home games.
Head Trends
Raiders are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Bowls Contest: $1,000
Fine print
1. In order to claim a prize, users living in a regulated state must open an account through one of the RX Sponsors. The RX will provide the appropriate link to do so based on the user's state.
2. Users in unregulated states will be asked to open a Daily Fantasy account.
3. Prizes will be paid through PayPal, though a sportsbook cash gift card may be an option for users in regulated states. The RX will work the winners to process payments based on their jurisdiction.
4. The RX employees who work out of The RX headquarters cannot claim prizes.
- Pick 41 bowl games against the spread, including the NCAAF Championship once teams are known.
- Pick deadline is Sat, Dec 17 at 11AM ET.
- All picks are for one unit, except the Championship game, which will reward 3 units.
- Tiebreaker is the combined points in the Championship game. If still tied, RX Forum registration date breaks the tie, or else prizes split and combine equally.
| Place | Prizes |
| 1st. | $300 |
| 2nd. | $175 |
| 3rd. | $125 |
| 4th. | $100 |
| 5-10th. | $50 each |
Fine print
1. In order to claim a prize, users living in a regulated state must open an account through one of the RX Sponsors. The RX will provide the appropriate link to do so based on the user's state.
2. Users in unregulated states will be asked to open a Daily Fantasy account.
3. Prizes will be paid through PayPal, though a sportsbook cash gift card may be an option for users in regulated states. The RX will work the winners to process payments based on their jurisdiction.
4. The RX employees who work out of The RX headquarters cannot claim prizes.
Thursday night:
Las Vegas -6' -110 (@ LAR)
Argueably the best game the Raiders played all season was their Week 5 loss at Kansas City, 29-30. That was a Monday night game. Some coaches like to circle spotlight games as soon as they see the schedule. The Raiders were ready. They took a 20-6 lead into halftime. Another game Josh McDaniels would have likely circled would be the game tonight at the World Champs. Of course the World Champs are now the World Chumps. I think McDaniel will have this game scripted start to finish. PS In the Kansas City game Travis Kelce got all four Chief's touchdowns. Whose gonna do that for the Lams tonight?
Argueably the best game the Raiders played all season was their Week 5 loss at Kansas City, 29-30. That was a Monday night game. Some coaches like to circle spotlight games as soon as they see the schedule. The Raiders were ready. They took a 20-6 lead into halftime. Another game Josh McDaniels would have likely circled would be the game tonight at the World Champs. Of course the World Champs are now the World Chumps. I think McDaniel will have this game scripted start to finish. PS In the Kansas City game Travis Kelce got all four Chief's touchdowns. Whose gonna do that for the Lams tonight?
Rams list Baker Mayfield as active Thursday night vs. Raiders.
INGLEWOOD, Calif -- Los Angeles Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield will be active Thursday night against the Las Vegas Raiders, less than 48 hours after he landed in Los Angeles after he was claimed off waivers Tuesday.John Wolford and Bryce Perkins are also active at quarterback for the Rams on Thursday night.
Sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Thursday that the Rams wanted to see how Wolford's neck responded during pregame warmups before making a final decision on a starter, with Mayfield expected to start if Wolford wasn't healthy enough to play.
Rams coach Sean McVay said Wednesday that "it would be unprecedented" for Mayfield to play with such a short turnaround, "but I do think that he'd be capable of it, if we asked."
If Mayfield starts a game, he'd be the second No. 1 pick to start at quarterback for the Rams this season. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, the 2007 Panthers are the only team that had multiple No. 1 picks from the Common Draft Era (1967) start at quarterback: David Carr and Vinny Testaverde.
He would also be the third No. 1 pick to start at quarterback for McVay (Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff). Only two head coaches have had three No. 1 picks from the Common Draft Era start at QB: Bill Belichick and John Fox.
On Saturday, the Rams put Stafford on injured reserve because of a spinal cord contusion. Stafford has been sidelined since he injured his neck in the Rams' Week 11 loss to the New Orleans Saints, a game he left after being evaluated for a concussion. McVay later said Stafford felt some numbness in his legs after taking a hit in that game.
Although Stafford is eligible to return in Week 17, McVay said "there's a good chance" he will not play again this season.
Game on.
Good luck ?
Good luck ?
