Raiders healing just in time for game against Packers
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Raiders’ final practice before departing for Wisconsin was full of the high energy that coach Jon Gruden has brought to the soon-to-be Las Vegas franchise.
Obviously, a team needs more than just high energy to deal with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. It has to be at close to full strength, and the Raiders are getting there.
The good news: The offensive line, the key to the Raiders’ success this season, could be at full strength. Guard Gabe Jackson, who has been out with a knee injury since the preseason, worked with the first team Friday and is listed as questionable. And Trent Brown (calf) took his normal spot at starting right tackle. Gruden went out of his way to welcome Brown back from the medical room, even though the tackle is listed as doubtful.
Running back Josh Jacobs is proving his worth as a first-round draft choice, and running the ball effectively Sunday is the key to limiting Rogers’ offensive opportunities.
The Raiders are still short-handed at receiver. Tyrell Williams remains sidelined with a foot injury. Gruden spent hours working with newcomer Zay Jones, who was acquired from Buffalo, but it remains to be seen how much he will be able to help. Look for tight end Darren Waller and slot receiver Hunter Renfrow to be the keys to the passing game.
On defense, end Clelin Ferrell is back, but the team is short-handed at linebacker after the season-long suspension of Vontaze Burfict.
Kick coverage should be improved against the Packers with the return of Dwayne Harris.
I’m optimistic about the Raiders’ chances, but I never know how to read a young team coming off a bye week. They are catching the Packers off a short week with receiver problems themselves.
But there’s that man at quarterback.
Rodgers is so smooth at avoiding pressure in the pocket, and his game-management skills are at the top of the NFL. For many of us who had been counting on the Packers to rally and cover 4 points Monday against the Lions, we could not have been surprised that Rodgers killed the final six minutes and told his running back to sit down and not score the touchdown that the Lions were giving him, thus setting up the game-winning, noncovering field goal.
Nothing comes easily in the NFL, but know this: Since the Raiders beat the Bears in London, it’s worth noting that the last nine teams that have won games in the United Kingdom have made the playoffs.
As for winners this week, I’m taking Minnesota in Detroit and the Giants to cover against Arizona. My two-team, 6-point teaser: Jets plus 15½ and Dolphins plus 23.
Good luck and cash some tickets, because that’s what it’s all about.
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Brent Musburger’s betting column appears Saturday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He is host of “My Guys in the Desert” weekdays from 2 to 4 p.m. on VSiN.com, SiriusXM 204 and 920 AM The Game.