Jets vs Raiders: Questions with the enemy

With the upcoming Jets vs Raiders game, The Jet Press was able to get a Q&A with Chase Ruttig, Editor of Just Blog Baby

The Jets vs Raiders game promises to be a physical matchup that could very well come down to the wire. To get some insight on what fans of the Jets should expect from the Raiders and some of their key players, I was able to get a Q&A with Chase Ruttig, the Editor of one of my favorite sites for everything Raiders at JustBlogBaby.com

Here are the questions I asked and his answers as I hope you enjoy. Here’s to a great game between two up and coming teams hungry for a victory. Special thanks to Chase for partnering up with me to bring such wonderful analysis!

1 – How excited are Raider fans for the progression of quarterback Derek Carr?

I think everyone around the league is excited to see the progression of Derek Carr. It seems that the national media is hopping on his very impressive first half of the 2015 season and Carr is quickly becoming a franchise quarterback who is very exciting with his blend of arm strength mixed in with the ability to give the ball to his playmakers in space in the short passing game.

Carr seems to be the real deal and with the Raiders getting more attention than in recent years it is definitely exciting to see the team’s young quarterback get such praise around the league for his phenomenal play this season.

2 – You guys are quite good at stopping the run, is it more of your defensive system or attributed to the players along your defensive line?

Khalil Mack and Aldon Smith are very good against the run as well as with the pass rush which has helped the Raiders, but the key has been the acquisition of Dan Williams in the offseason. Williams is one of the more underrated run defenders in the league at defensive tackle and has made the Raiders a very difficult team to run the ball against.

With Chris Ivory struggling with hamstring problems I expect the Raiders to be able to stop the run again this week.

3 – Amari Cooper is making the case to be the Offensive Rookie of the Year, what should Jets Nation expect seeing him against our top-rated defensive secondary?

Tons of speed and playmaking after the catch. Cooper is very explosive after he catches the ball, something that was on display during his 52 yard catch and run against the Chargers last week. Cooper has great cuts and route running to get open, but if he gets the ball in space without a defender getting his arms around him there is always a chance for the Raiders fourth overall pick to break off a massive play after the catch.

4 – The Jets are coming off a tough loss to the Patriots as you guys steamrolled the Chargers, what do you think will come down to who leaves this game victorious?

Whichever offense decides to finish drives with touchdowns will win this game. In the Raiders two recent losses before beating the Chargers the game came down to finishing drives, something that plagued the Jets against the Patriots last week. Both Derek Carr and Ryan Fitzpatrick will need to finish drives by finding the endzone in scoring territory if they want to win this game that has early Wild Card implications.

Another key factor will be the turnover battle as the Raiders defense has relied heavily on making big plays to negate the high amount of yardage they give up. Charles Woodson and DJ Hayden both love to hawk the big play interception, Woodson already having a two-interception game this season. If the Raiders can continue to create turnovers they are going to be very hard to beat at the Coliseum.

5 – You guys boast a top defense that can stop the run, it’ll be fun to see guys like Chris Ivory, Zac Stacy and Stevan Ridley go up against you guys. Do you see any of these running backs being able to crack that defense of yours?

Zac Stacy had success against the Raiders last season in a Rams blowout late in the season, but the weakness of the Oakland defense this season is in pass coverage so I think that will be where the Jets try to attack. Expect plenty of Ryan Fitzpatrick trying to find Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker rather than the Jets trying to force the run to break down a stout defensive front in Oakland.

Next: Todd Bowles already better than Rex Ryan

6 – Final score and MVP?

This game is tough to call, but with the Raiders gamebreakers coming up with massive plays all season I think they will have the edge at home to end recent struggles against the Jets in this historical AFL series. Charles Woodson coming up with yet another interception to add to his legendary career as the defensive MVP with Derek Carr continuing to draw headlines for his strong start to his second NFL season as the Silver and Black move to 4-3.

Prediction: Raiders 24 Jets 20