Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders Crossover: Mac Jones, Bill Belichick Backs Against the Wall? Run the Ball against the Raiders D?

Episode Date: October 13, 2023

The New England Patriots face a "must-win" as they travel west to Sin City as they take on the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium for their Week 6 matchup. Join hosts Mike D'Abate of Locked On Patriots and Your Boy Q of Locked On Raiders as they discuss Mac Jones ability to rebound from back-to-back dismal showings against Maxx Crosby and the Raiders pass rush and Jimmy Garoppolo's ability to test the Patriots' injury-depleted defense before making their game predictions.Find and follow Locked On Patriots on your favorite podcast platforms:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/locked-on-patriots-daily-podcast-on-the-new-england/id1140512627Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1c5ZxFmwg3WbfxAU3tR5Ve?si=k196wH-yRqifUcQQz8SjIQStitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/locked-on-patriotsAnd follow host Mike D’Abate on Twitter, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the New England Patriots and talking with fans.Twitter: @mdabateNFLSupport Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Jase MedicalSave more than $360 by getting these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical plus an additional $20 off by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com.PrizePicksGo to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnfl and use code lockedonnfl for a first deposit match up to $100!GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. Last minute tickets. Lowest Price. Guaranteed.eBay MotorsFor parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotos.com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply.LinkedInLinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONNFL. Terms and conditions apply.FanDuelMake Every Moment More. Right now, NEW customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get TWO HUNDRED in BONUS BETS – GUARANTEED. Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You are Locked On Patriots, your daily New England Patriots podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcastiders, Locked On Patriots fans. It is Crossover Thursday here on the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. And today, your teams cross the streams as Locked On Patriots and Locked On Raiders get set to preview Sunday's matchup. 4.05 p.m. Eastern Time, 1.05 p.m. Pacific, and the Pats and the Raiders. A lot of history between these two teams, a lot going on right now in both fan bases, both universes, but I'd be remiss if I did not welcome in my co-host today, my good friend,

my colleague, your boy Q, host of Locked On Raiders. Q, you know, every time I see a Locked On Patriots, Locked On Raiders crossover on the schedule, always makes me happy. This is always one of my favorite times of the year. Yeah, it's always a lot of fun to catch up with you, talk a little Patriots, talk a little Raiders, talk about the game coming up, you know, compare and contrast the two teams. And obviously nowadays, the last couple of years, there's a lot of familiarity with the Raiders and the Patriots with Coach McDaniels and Dave Ziegler being part of the Raiders organization now as opposed to the Patriots.

So I've leaned on you a lot for some Patriots knowledge, just trying to learn a little bit more about my own team. So it's always great to catch up with you. Absolutely. And yeah, I know Raiders fans are probably sick and tired of all the wisdom and counsel I've put forth over the years from Josh Daniels down to Dave Ziegler, all the Patriots exes that found their way to Las Vegas. But the Raiders are on the verge of putting it all together. And this team is actually coming together pretty well right now. And a lot to look forward to in the silver and black in foxborough well not so much but you know what we'll start with the biggest stories of the day q and you'd be in the home team you definitely get to go first on this one what is the big story coming out of las vegas when it comes to your raiders and what they can look forward to in the remainder of 2023 well i think honestly the

biggest storyline and it's kind of twofold right here. It's, it's the fact that the defense is playing really well, which has been a struggle for the Raiders for very, for a very long time. Right. But the Raiders defense is doing some pretty good things and they've only got two wins on the season, but I would say that the Raiders defense is the reason why they've been able to get those wins week one against Denver. And then on Monday night football against the Green Bay Packers but with that being said Mike the storyline on top of that is where is the Raiders offense gone right I mean you've got Josh McDaniels offensive coordinator he's a guru right he's that guy that's supposed to be able to push all the right buttons they've got Jimmy G

Josh McDaniels guy they've got Devontae Adams one of the best wide receivers in the league Jacoby Myers really good wide receiver Hunter Renro, caught 100 passes one year. You know, Josh Jacobs, the former Russian champion from a year ago. There's a lot of things to like about the Raiders offense, but unfortunately, they haven't been able to show why they could be so good or how they could be so good. And that's really been the big question is why? What's the problem with the Raiders offense? Why is it not putting up the points that everyone, including myself, be so good and that's really been the big question is why what's what's the what's the problem uh with the Raiders offense why is it not putting up the points that everyone including myself expected them to do in 2023 I thought this was going to be the strength of the team and you

were just going to ask the defense to just you know kind of compliment the the offense of the Raiders and it's been everything but that the defense has kept them in games and even though they've only won two games they literally have been in the in in play to win four and because the offense hasn't been able to do what they're supposed to do they've only won two so yeah i mean the storyline is yeah hats off to the defense for doing what they're doing where the hell's the offense at right now and i know it's funny it's kind of similar when you look at the patriots and their storylines well you ask where in the hell is the offense the new england patriots have been asking that really since 2022. If you really want to go back to last season,

the New England Patriots offense definitely anemic at times, and it has been downright dead on arrival for the last really two games. And I think a lot of people are surprised that Bill O'Brien being added into this mix and becoming that ironclad offensive coordinator that the New England Patriots lacked last year with Matt Patricia and Joe Judge kind of trying to hold things together with duct tape and wire it didn't work and it's not working again this year and that is the big storyline coming out of New England right now is that despite being out coached and outplayed in all three of the game's phases last week in a demoralizing 34 to nothing loss to the New Orleans Saints. The New England Patriots offense is bearing the brunt

of a lot of the Patriots fan base's anger, even more so than the defense and the special teams, which were outplayed, but it's been the offense really that is the story. 156 total yards of offense last week against the Saints. 45 of that came from their running game. Completely unacceptable. Converting a measly one of 14 third down attempts while averaging an anemic 3.1 yards per play. So, yeah, we can definitely sympathize with you guys about offense. But as bad as it seems in Las Vegas right now, it's even worse in New England. Outsscored 72

to 3 in the past few games new england has to right that ship that really is the big story coming out of new england but uh when it comes to las vegas new england fans inquiring minds want to know uh jacoby meyer seems to be doing pretty well for himself out there he looks like he's settling in to josh mcdan's offense. How has he changed the way that the Raiders have been able to move the ball on offense? Because when he was here in New England, Q, he was a make the catch at the point of attack, and he was a guy that was shorthanded. He was going to come down with whatever was thrown his way. Is he still the same guy, or is he adding a little to his repertoire out there? He's been awesome. He's

been as advertised and then some i mean he really has and i know that he was just about a wide receiver one when he was in new england obviously when you're playing with devontae adams you're not gonna be wide receiver one but he acts like he's still wide receiver one right he's he's uh getting open he's not the fastest dude you know that not the most athletic guy but he finds a way to get open he's shorthanded and he makes the plays, right? Multiple touchdowns on the season. Hell, on Monday night against the Packers, he was the leading receiver for the Raiders. And he's just a guy that he told us in a media session in the summertime, he was excited for the opportunity to play with Jimmy G. He'd heard a bunch of good

things, didn't play with him in New England, but he heard a lot of good things about him. And it seems like that that relationship has clicked very quickly. And so it's been, it's been good to see what Jacoby brings to the table and the one game he missed because of a concussion, you know, he was sorely missed. I mean, cause again, Hunter Renfro, he was a really good player the last couple of seasons for the Raiders and he's really been non-existent so far this year. So it's really been the Jacoby Devante and Josh Jacobs show so far this season and really more of an emphasis on Jacoby and Devontae. And Jacoby has been fantastic. So he's been as advertised.

I'm excited about what he can do and continue to do as a true number two wide receiver. The Raiders didn't have that last year. Last year, they ended up having Mack Hollins. Hunter Renfro got injured early in the season, so he was out. Darren Waller, their stud tied in, he was out because of injury. So Mack Hollins became de facto wide receiver receiver number two and he's not number two I mean I give him credit for what he was able to do step into a role that he was kind of forced into but he's not a real true number two wide receiver he's a really a special teams guy that will go out for

some passes sometime Jacoby is a true number two and in a lot of instances it could be a true number one but he's a number two with the Raiders, and he's been living up to that billing. So, yeah, it's been as advertised. And honestly, Mike, I'm still surprised and shocked. And I think that probably Jacoby and his people, his representation are too, that the Patriots chose Juju Smith-Schuster over Jacoby Myers. They gave him the same money, and you would think that they knew what they had in Jacoby and they would have held on to him.

And instead, they went on and grabbed Juju. And mean you tell me how's he been so far that's an excellent point to bring up and I also think it's very poignant because Bill Belichick was asked that question on Wednesday morning when he addressed the media about why Jacoby Myers was essentially offered about the same money that Juju Smith Schuster was Jacoby by all indications wanted to come back to New England, but the Patriots decided that they wanted to go in a different direction and went with Juju Smith-Schuster. It has not worked out.

Juju is the type of receiver that really should work so well in a Bill O'Brien offense, simply because he is the type of receiver that is able to get yards after the catch. He'll be able to find his way under the defense and then be able to get yards after the catch. He'll be able to find his way under the defense and then be able to extend plays by getting an additional five, six, seven, maybe 10 yards after the catch point.

That hasn't happened for some reason or whatever. He has not developed the synergy with Mac Jones that Jacoby had in 2022. It's definitely evident in the way Mac's been playing, some of the poor decisions that he's making. He's lacking that type of receiver that he can go to in clutch situations when he's down and all the chips are down. Every good quarterback has that guy that he can rely on.

Jacoby Myers was that guy for Mac Jones, and essentially they took that away from him. So in a lot of respects, the subtraction of Jacoby Myers from this team has definitely been an Achilles heel for the New England Patriots. But there are players that do have the ability to step up into that role. Demario Douglas is probably not going to play this weekend in concussion protocol. He suffered a head injury, as did Juju Smith-Schuster. So both of these guys are probably on the shelf for this game, barring anything unforeseen. So that means that Mac's going to have to rely very heavily on Kendrick Bourne.

Hayshawn Butte is probably going to get the call up for this game. He's been a healthy scratch the last few weeks. And New England is definitely going to have to get something going with their receiving core. And Devontae Parker is going to have to be a big part of that as well, along with the two tight end sets of Hunter Henry and Mike Gusecki. So Mac Jones has got a lot to prove if the New England Patriots go out. a big part of that as well, along with the two tight end sets of Hunter Henry and Mike Gusecki. So Mac Jones has got a lot to prove if the New England Patriots go out and for the third straight week, put up a real terrible effort on offense. There's going to be a lot of calls for not only

Mac Jones's job, but Bill Belichick's job a lot louder than it is right now. And believe me when I tell you, Q, it's pretty loud here in New England right now. We haven't had these times here in a long time, and it's tough for a lot of fans to take. Welcome to the real world of the NFL. Been in that New England bubble for a long time. Now you got to get into the real world of the NFL of how life really is and calling for coaches' jobs and calling for the quarterback to get traded or moved on from or cut or released. Yeah, welcome to real world but uh yeah man that's that's wild even to

me it blows my mind to have conversations about could bill belichick be on his way out and who knows mac jones obviously has a lot to prove but yeah it's just weird man even like i said just as an nfl fan hearing those words and realizing that it's there's a real reality there behind it is crazy to me. But here we are, Mike, as you know. So on to week six, right? Absolutely. In true Bellicac fashion, we are on to week six and the Las Vegas Raiders. And in your case, you guys are on to the New England Patriots.

Q, we can talk about all the big storylines, and there are several big storylines. We've run them all down, but it ultimately comes down to the matchups on the field that are going to decide this game. Which matchups are Q and I going to be watching this week with a sharp eye? We're going to let you know in just a moment when this episode of the Locked On Patriots podcast and the Locked On Raiders podcast,

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Daily fantasy sports made easy. Locked On Raiders fans, Locked On Patriots fans, thank you so much for taking time out of your schedule to join us here today on Locked On NFL crossover Thursday between Locked On Patriots and Locked On Raiders. Your boy Q, the legendary your boy Q, the host of

Locked On Raiders and Mike Debate, Lockdown Patriots host, crossing the streams for you here today. And Q, we brought our respective fan bases up to speed on what the big storylines are coming out of Las Vegas and New England. But you and I both know that these games come down to matchups on the field. And there were a lot of them that I know our fan bases are going to be watching closely again you are the home team when you take a look at that Allegiant Stadium field on Sunday what matchup is going to have your sharp eye which one are you going to be watching closest between the Pats and Raiders you know when I look at it I there's there's two that are going to stand out to me in a major way and one is the offensive line the trenches right how does the

offensive line for the Raiders stack up against the Patriots defensive line? Only because the Raiders offensive line hasn't got going is my, in my opinion, I talked about the offensive struggles. They're only averaging 15.8 points a game, and that's not enough. They haven't scored 20 points yet in one game this season, even the Patriots scored 20 points in the first game of the season. So the Raiders have not done that yet. And I think a lot of that has to do with the offensive line. The defending rushing champ, Josh Jacobs, hasn't got cooking yet. Hasn't had 100-yard day on the ground. And, I mean, he had 60-something yards, 69 yards on Monday.

But 24 came on one carry. So, I mean, he hasn't got rolling either. And I'm not talking about him missing training camp or preseason. He just doesn't have any holes to run through. He just doesn't. So, again, I'm looking at the offensive line and saying what what are you doing where where's the problem why why uh why are you having such problems opening up holes and and even blocking for jimmy g so that's going to be the first and foremost the biggest matchup i'll

be looking at how does this raiders offensive line play against the patriots defensive line and i know the patriots have the guys that are injured. I don't think that that matters. If they can't move back and have a little bit of physicality and force with this Patriots defensive line, it's going to be a long day at the office, right? Regardless of how much of the struggle bus the Patriots and their offense may be under or whatever's going on, whatever the case may be, if you can't block for the quarterback or the running back, it's going to be a long day at the office. So that really is is the one that I'm staring at the most, like the trenches.

How does this offensive line rebound, especially after hearing all week long that, yeah, the problem with the Raiders offense is the offensive line. Offensive line is a struggle. I mean, they heard that last year going into the season and they said that they took it personal. Right. They took a page out of Michael Jordan's book that they took it personal right they took a page out of michael jordan's book and i took it personal okay cool they went out and operated and by week five or six around this time of the year they got cooking and josh jacobs got cooking so can they you know write that that that ship and and do the same thing follow the same script that they did a year ago well we'll find out but at some point it's put up or shut up and it's just hasn't been good enough right jimmy g you know it's not a guy that's fleet-footed. He's not going to run around the yard.

He's not that guy. He's got to have protection. If you want him to be at his best, and even then it's still a little suspect, but if you want him to be at his best, he's got to have protection. And right now, the offensive line is not protecting the quarterback and not opening up holes for the running back enough. So that's my biggest matchup that I'll be looking at in this game on Sunday. What about you?

Very, very good point. And before I get into the matchup that I'm going to watch, just a little insight for Locked On Raiders fans. Q mentioned the defensive front for the New England Patriots. Obviously, Matthew Judon being out is a big part of that. And this team certainly felt that loss in the loss to the new orleans saints failed to generate a lot of pressure on the quarterback that starts up front with the defensive line new england patriots right now in order to compensate for matthew judon's loss folks

you're going to look at anthony jennings reserve linebacker and someone who can also play a little defensive end he's going to step into that role. Dietrich Wise, I think, is going to probably align next to the two interior guys like Lawrence Guy and Devon Godschow. Look for Josh Uche to be the alpha pass rusher, also the rookie Keon White out of Georgia Tech. This kid is someone that can bring a lot of power and a lot of speed when he's properly protected and properly motivated. He's got the motivation. It's just a matter for him to settle in. So if you're the Raiders and you're watching for someone who could impact the pass rush on the Patriots, definitely keep an eye on Keon White.

But we're mirror images of each other this week, Q, because I'm going to have my eye on that Raiders pass rush and whether or not the Patriots offensive line and Mac Jones can hold up to that. You know that Max Crosby and that five sacks coming off the edge is going to be salivating looking at what this offensive line in New England has been able to provide Mac Jones. And that is essentially nothing when it comes to pass protection. Mac has been adversely affected by the pass rush. He's been off target frequently, especially early in the game. That's

going to be key for the Raiders to get to Mack early because that's where he starts to spiral out of control. Sailing pass is high. The pressure gets to him. That's going to lead to turnovers. And if the Patriots start turning the ball over early, that's going to be a long day in Paradise, Nevada for the New England Patriots. They have to take care of the football better than they have been. But that offensive line needs to provide better protection than what Mac Jones has had. 45.8% pressure rate on Jones' 24 dropbacks last week. That absolutely puts him under fire a lot more than he should be.

It was the third straight week that New England's unit has been over 43% when it comes to allowing pressure. So Patriots' offensive line has to be better. The right tackle situation has to be much better than what they've got. Berdarian Lowe is trying as hard as he possibly can to get up to speed to New England's system, but he allowed a sack in four hurries last week. Antonio Mafi at guard filling in for Cole Strange,

surrendered a team high six quarterback pressures. That's not going to get the job done. New England right now needs protection up front. And if they're not getting that protection up front, Mack has to make much better decisions than he's made. It's going to be a long day for New England without any question. But if he can get, like you said, very similar to Jimmy Garoppolo, if he can get protection, Matt can start hitting his targets

in the short intermediate areas of the field, and that can allow him to move the ball a little more effectively. But he's got to get the protection he needs up front. That's going to be the matchup I'm watching closest. Man, yeah, it sounds like we're looking in the mirror at each other, right? I mean, it does. It just sounds like it's the same matchups. It sounds like it's the same storylines, you know, not being able to score.

Offensive line's got to protect the quarterback, open up some holes for the running game. I mean, it sounds so similar. One thing that I do want to pay attention to, one matchup that I want to talk about that's just kind of like a side note, Devontae Adams. I know he's not 100% healthy. I expect him to play just like he played this past week.

He's got a shoulder injury. But I want to see Devontae and J I know he's not 100% healthy. I expect him to play just like he played this past week. He's got a shoulder injury. But I want to see Devontae and J.C. Jackson, right? J.C. Jackson obviously just got traded back from the Chargers to the Patriots with the injury to Christian Gonzalez, which I hate that for Christian Gonzalez. I thought he was a promising young rookie for the Patriots. And I know the Patriots, they felt the same way about the young man. But J.C., Devontae had some success against him with the Chargers. So I'm looking to see what it looks like now with the Patriots.

Now that he's back with his old stomping grounds, does it change any? Could that be a mismatch or maybe, maybe he's on, you know, Jacoby Myers. And if he is, can Jacoby continue to have the success, but I'm always interested to see where JC Jackson is at on the field. It hasn't been as great as it was before he became a free agent and signed with the chargers, but I still think he's a hell of a talent, and obviously he's very familiar with that Patriots system, so I'm kind of looking at that one as well. Yeah, without question, that's definitely an under-the-radar matchup that I think Raiders fans are going to like,

and Patriots fans as well. JC actually did get about 50% of the defensive snaps that New England had against New Orleans last week, which was a lot more than I thought he was going to get. I figured they would try to reacclimate him a little bit slower, get him into the game, get him used to playing in the Patriots system once again. But apparently during practice, he showed enough to Bill Belichick and that defensive coaching staff that led them to believe that he was able to carry the load. And one might say, well, Christian Gonzalez is out. They needed an alpha corner, so they had to throw him in there.

Jonathan Jones did a very good job at being their number one corner in 2022. He just came back from an ankle injury. Jonathan's got speed and he's got coverage ability. So the Patriots were worried about that number one corner, so to speak. They probably would have rolled with Jonathan Jones and Miles Bryant on the perimeter to try to give them an opportunity and give JC a chance to get back. Patriots definitely saw something in him,

and watching the film over again, you can see that he still has that ball-hawking nature in him to be able to draw a beat on the football. That, I think, is going to be where you're going to see him shine potentially on Sunday if he's able to find his route and stay in lockstep with either Dante Adams or, like you said, he might be put on Jacoby Myers a little bit. Although my guess is that Jacoby's probably going to drop Jonathan

because of the familiarity these two have with each other. I think that'll be a good matchup there. But Las Vegas wants to control that matchup. They may have an upper hand in this, both on offense and on defense. It's definitely something I'm paying attention to. So I think that that's a heck of a matchup. But honestly, at the end of the day,

it's all about the trenches, as far as I'm concerned, for both teams. So whoever wins the trenches, turnover battle obviously is a big deal as well. But yeah, I'm solely focused on the trenches because, again, it's been a struggle. You know, it really has for the silver and black. They've got to be a lot better.

Jermaine Illuminor, Thayer Munford, you know, Andre James, Dylan Parham, Colton Miller, somehow, some way. Colton Miller is the one guy I know he's be steady at that left tackle position. Everyone else I have questions about. So everyone else, they need to really step their game up and perform at a higher level.

But it will be fun to watch, of course,ay as well it'll be week six nfl action of course that's what we care about the most absolutely and jimmy garoppolo going up against bill belichick it's always going to be fun regardless of what patriots fans may think of bill right now you know this is one he had circled on his calendar for a good long while he doesn't want to lose face in the face of Josh McDaniels. And he also wants to show Jimmy G a little shot of what he might've had if he stayed in New England. So bottom line, these are all fun matchups to watch.

And the Patriots and the Raiders, obviously there's a lot of synergy between these two teams with a lot of ex-Patriots out there in Las Vegas. But Hugh, I think we've arrived at that time, folks. And the moment you've all been waiting for. What are our keys to victory for either team? And what is the score prediction that Q and I are going to offer? We're going to let you know in just a moment when this episode

of the Locked On Patriots and Locked On Raiders podcast crossover style wraps up right here on the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Lockdown listeners, today's crossover episode is brought to you in part by Jace Medical. Everyone should be empowered to care for themselves and their loved ones during the unexpected. And that's why Jace Medical offers the Jace Case. The Jace Case provides five life-saving antibiotics for emergency use and gives you a peace of mind so that you are not just hoping that you have access to medication in the event of an emergency. Jace Medical makes sure you have the medication in hand. And Jace Medical is simple.

They handle everything from the online evaluation to licensed pharmacy medication delivery and ongoing consultation and care. Don't get caught unprepared. Save more than $360 by getting these life-saving antibiotics with Jace Medical plus an additional $20 off by using the code LOCKEDON at checkout on jacemedical.com. That's Jace Medical, J-A-S-E Medical.com, promo code LOCKEDON. We hope you enjoyed the insight, the wisdom, the counsel that we've shared on our respective teams. But Q, we've arrived at the moment of truth. It is time to offer our keys to victory and our score predictions. When you look at this game and you look at the Raiders coming in at 2-2, emotional victory on Monday Night Football, starting to play pretty well.

What are you looking at from the Raiders to get the victory over the visiting Patriots on Sunday afternoon? You know, I think that they really need to make sure that they take advantage of all the weapons that they have. And what I mean by that, normally I say they've got to establish the run, get Josh Jacobs going, but it just hasn't happened. And I'm not expecting it all of a sudden, Josh Jacobs to break into a hundred yard rushing game. All I really care about is that Jacobs is heavily involved in the offense. All I really care about is that Jacobs is heavily involved in the offense. All I care about is Jacoby Myers is heavily involved in the offense. Devontae Adams. He only had four targets on Monday against green Bay.

A lot of that was because, you know, Jimmy G was under pressure. He got sacked multiple times, you know, he threw an interception. The Raiders didn't possess the ball a whole lot. And there was times in the game where it looked like Joshua Daniels wasn't a

hundred percent confident or believe in his offense to pick up, you know, the short yardage or pick up the big player, go for it and settle for field goals a couple of times when I thought maybe he could roll the dice and go for it. But it just didn't seem like the confidence was there. Honestly, I think that they just need to take advantage of everyone they have. And look, I mean, the names, the sexy names are, like I said, Devontae, Jacoby, Josh Jacobs. Hunter Renfro needs to get involved. But also, Trey Tucker and DeAndre Carter. Those are two guys that I really want to point out. Trey Tucker is the rookie. He's number 11. He's got speed for days.

And DeAndre Carter is a widely veteran who also has speed for days. He's a punt returner, kick returner as well. So you'll see him back there in the special teams unit. Those guys have so much speed that the Raiders have to start really capitalizing on that. There was a nice little end around a trade Tucker on Monday night where he picked up about, you know,

15, 16 yards. He had a nice jet sweep against Buffalo and week two, where he went for about 36 yards, but he hasn't been utilized that much. The deep ball, Mike is not there, right?

You haven't seen too many deep shots from Jimmy G and this Raiders offense. So take advantage of that of that speed you know I mean Joshua Daniels has been doing a lot of flea flickers since he's been the Raiders head coach he's been doing a lot of jet sweeps kind of some gadget plays here and there but they just haven't been able to take advantage of what they have as far as the weapons and this is why and I started off the whole show talking about scoring I thought the offense was going to be the strength of this team like that was going to be their bread and butter, man. They were going to score, and they were going to score often.

And the defense was just going to be asked to keep up. Keep up and do your job and just compliment the offense, and you're going to win a lot of games. That, in my mind, is what I thought. Those are my words, not theirs. I thought that that was what was going to happen, and it's been everything but that. Like I said, they only average 15.8 points per game,

which is not a lot in the NFL. You're not going to win a whole lot of games. And Patriot fans are like, hey, that sounds great, as they're averaging about 11 points per game. But look, both offenses are struggling. So the Raiders have the weapons. It's not like they don't have the lack of talent. They have the weapons.

That's why I don't think it's an excuse why they're not scoring. I mean, you can look at some teams and say, well, I know why they're not scoring. Who are they going to throw can look at some teams and say, well, I know why they're not scoring. Who are they going to throw to? Who are they going to you know, who's catching the ball? Who's running the rock? Who's doing this? Not the other. That's not the Raiders problem. The Raiders problem is they're not executing. And coaches coach Raider Nation wants to fire. Coach McDaniels wants to kick him out of town. You know, everyone back and I get it. Coaches coach players play. The players aren't executing at the level that they need to.

If they were, they'd be scoring more points, and they're just not doing it. Coach McDaniels has something to do with it. He's got to press the right buttons. Don't get me wrong. But the players got to go out there and execute. So something's got to give. I don't know if it's going to happen this week, but that's what the goal's got to be. Get your playmakers involved.

All the playmakers. Speed. Reliability as far as the catch. Moving the chains. You know, big playability. Running the ball., speed, reliability as far as the catch, moving the chains, big playability, running the ball. You've got all that. Use it. That's my biggest key. If the Raiders want to win, everyone's getting involved offensively. I'm not saying it's going to put up 30 points, but you get everybody involved. You hold on to the rock. You have time of possession more than what you've had. You have a great chance to win this game at your house. You can win two in a row. You could be on

a winning streak for the first time in forever, right? I mean, that would be great to see it. That's how they'd get it done if they're going to get it done. They've got to utilize all the weapons they have offensively. What about the Patriots? My key to victory for the New England Patriots is they need to get the running game going. Ramondre Stevenson is a catalyst for this team's success, and so far he's averaging 2.8 yards per carry on the season. Ezekiel Elliott came in to be a red zone threat, someone who could maybe catch a pass or two out of the backfield and lend a little bit of veteran leadership. He hasn't been much better. 3.8 per carry is what Zeke is averaging right now so they have been victimized by that terrible offensive line play up front there's no holes to run through

and they've been stifled but these guys are seasoned enough veterans where they have to start creating their own opportunities and Mac's going to have to utilize them maybe even out of the backfield as receivers or maybe a jet sweep option, they have to empty the playbook and start doing things a little against the grain to get this offense going. And the Raiders might provide the opportunity that the Patriots are looking for. They've struggled to stop the run a little bit this year for allowing 130 yards per game on the ground. They've got a good defensive front.

Don't get me wrong. This is no disrespect to the Raiders. I love Devine Diablo and Jenkins and Nichols. And those guys are good run defenders, but they've had their difficulty this year. That's been a porous area for the Raiders defense. So if the Patriots are going to get on track, they need to get that run game going, make a concerted effort to run the ball effectively. That starts with Ramondre Stevenson.

And then if you can use the run, it opens things up for play action. And that's where Mac Jones can go to work. He can hit the short intermediate areas of the field, bring up the defense, lead his receivers under it. That's what Patriots have to return to. So if they're going to get going, going to give themselves an opportunity to win this game, it begins and ends with the running game getting on track because they've been dismal so far as the whole Patriots offense.

You know, and to go along with what has to happen for the Raiders to get a victory, obviously Max Crosby has to continue to be Max Crosby, right? He's coming off being the AFC Defensive Player of the Week. He got that award on Wednesday, so that was cool. He's got to continue to do that. He's got to get after the quarterback. And the Raiders, the last two games, have caused four turnovers. They've created four turnovers. He's got to continue to do that. He's got to get after the quarterback and the Raiders, the last two games have caused four turnovers. They've created four turnovers.

They've got to keep that up. That was a huge emphasis all offseason, all training camp, all preseason. Get to the ball, get to the ball, get to the ball. And through the first three weeks, they had no turnovers they had created. And then all of a sudden, in week four against the Chargers, they got one interception. And then last week against the Packers

on Monday Night Football, they picked off Jordan Love three times. So all of a sudden, they week four against the Chargers, they got one interception. And then last week against the Packers on Monday Night Football, they picked off Jordan Love three times. So all of a sudden, they're starting to get things going. They've got to continue to create those turnovers and get an extra shot at it. If they want to get this offense jump-started, they've got to continue to help them out by getting the ball back. And hopefully, they get it on the short field, and they give their offense a chance. Last week, Robert Spillane had a nice interception to to get things rolling got inside the 10 yard line and the raiders

still settled for a field goal so that's less than ideal when that situation happens but the more times you create the ball create turnovers and get the ball back to your offense the more cracks at it you get so the raiders need to do that as well so defensively the keys are getting pressure on the quarterback and creating turnovers on the back end yeah absolutely and for the new england patriots on the defensive side of the ball they have to do a much better job are getting pressure on the quarterback and creating turnovers on the back end. Yeah, absolutely. And for the New England Patriots on the defensive side of the ball, they have to do a much better job of getting pressure on the quarterback up front, with the exception of two sacks last week, one of which came from Juwan Bentley on the initial defensive stand for the New England Patriots. And the other came from a covered sack, a corner blitz from Miles Bryant.

That'll be much better this time around. Not even necessarily with the sacks but get pressure on jimmy garoppolo make sure that you're keeping him off rhythm off balance and that's where the new england patriots defense can try to build a little bit but easier said than done the raiders are playing better ball than the patriots right now they got to take the advantage wherever they can get it cue the time has. It's about time for us to offer score predictions. I never want to put you on the spot, but we're contractually obligated to do that right now.

No, I'm kidding. If you don't want to give a specific score, I'm not going to force you to do it. But how do you see this one shaking out in Las Vegas on Sunday? Well, I'll tell you this, and it's not with a whole bunch of confidence, but I'm going to say that the Raiders are going to find a way to win. They're going to get their second victory in a row, right? So they're going to be on a two-game winning streak,

which will be the first time that that's happened all season. And I'm going to say they scored 21. They haven't scored 20 yet this whole game or the whole season. So I'm going to say that they're going to get 21 points. They're going to win the game 21-14. I hate score predictions, but I'm going to say it's going to be 21-14. The Raiders find a way to get that third score, that third touchdown, and finally break that 20-point mark.

I mean, they're the only team in the league that hasn't scored 20. So, Mike, at some point, it's a numbers game, right? At some point, you keep getting cracks at it. You keep going to bat. Eventually, you get a base hit. So, I'm assuming that it's going to happen. I'm just going to pick this week to be it. Maybe they a turnover and get a short field and that's how it gets done but somehow some way they've got to get that they've got to crack that 20 point mark so i'm

going to say it's going to happen this week 21 14 i think the raiders win this game what about you yeah i think it's so dismal in new england right now thinking about offense that we forget that we actually have scored 20 points in a game at some point during 2023 uh it's been so long since the Patriots have even put up any meaningful points but um for the sanity of my fan base for the sanity of my listeners um I'm gonna say that the Patriots right the ship this week I think there's still a little bit of a bitter taste in New England's mouth from what happened in Lasgas the last time which thankfully we haven't mentioned in today's show and i thank you for that my friend but bottom line i think the new england patriots need to get their running game on track and i think they are going to be able to do that it will lead to points on the board and i think it leads

to mac jones finally being able to open up and utilize the two tight end sets that really have been completely absent for the better part of the season. Get Hunter Henry involved, get Mike Gusecki involved, but it starts with Ramondre Stevenson running the football and the adjustments that the Patriots have made on defense to compensate for the losses of John and Gonzalez are going to be in effect this week. Bill Belichick's back is up against the wall. Mack Jones's backup is up against the wall. I'm a little more confident in the old man than I am in the kid under center right now, but I say the both of them get just enough done. I think the Patriots take this one by a final of 20-17.

Not going to be easy. Las Vegas is not going to make this easy on the Patriots, but I think they do get this by a field goal. That 17 number, that's been the magic number for the Raiders, right? 17 points, 10 points, 18 for the raiders right 17 points 10 points 18 points 17 points 17 points so hey saying the raiders are going to score 17 is a good number because more often than not they've done that so far this season so again i think the raiders just have to get that 20 point mark man they have to it's again they're the only team in the league

that hasn't at some point you got to do it so if they're going to do it why not do it this week against you know joshua daniel's old team and he's pretty successful against belichick in his career the only team in the league that hasn't at some point you got to do it. So if you're going to do it, why not do it this week against, you know, Joshua Daniels old team. And he's pretty successful against Belichick in his career as a head coach. So he hasn't been very successful as a head coach anywhere else, but I guess Belichick,

he's done a pretty good job. So I'm going to go ahead and, and, and go out on a limb and say, he's going to do that one more time at Allegiant stadium in front of the home crowd. He needs to get it done. So there you go.

It should be interesting though. I mean, it's, it's going to be a close one. I don't expect it be like i said i i picked it 21 14 and i still think that at the end of the game the patriots have an opportunity to go down and and possibly score for a tie or even go for two and win the game so i don't think it's going to be one that you're feeling comfortable at the end who's going to win it's going to be one of those stay in your seats to the end to see how it all shakes out yeah i, I think so. I think both fan bases and both teams are in for a fun one

and probably a tight one in Allegiant Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Hugh, what can I say? It's always an honor to cross the streams with you, my friend. You are a true legend in this business. I'm honored to be your colleague and a friend as well. And, folks, we thank all of you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to join us here on Crossover Thursday. It's always great to get to know some of the fan bases around the lockdown podcast network and uh despite the

sometimes uh acrimonious history between these two teams i want to give a tip of the cap to raiders fans who have always been very nice very kind and very congenial to me so i appreciate you and you know i appreciate my listeners on lockdown Patriots as always. Q, any parting words of wisdom before we go ahead and sign off today? Hey man, enjoy the game on Sunday. Hopefully Patriot fans enjoy it. Hopefully Raider fans enjoy it as well. Right? I mean, just a good, fun, clean game, you know, no injuries and just enjoy the game, man. It's week six action. And this is what we're here for is the NFL. So it's always great catching up with you as well. I mean, you're a fantastic dude, as you know, one of my favorite guys. So thanks so much for the hospitality as always.

Anytime folks. And thank you once again for joining us here today on crossover Thursday on behalf of your boy Q of lockdown Raiders. I'm Mike today to have locked on Patriots, reminding you to stay safe and to stay well and be the change you wish to see in the world. Have a great day, everyone. And we'll see you back here again tomorrow on Locked on Patriots and Locked on Raiders,

respectively.