New York Jets (4-4) @ Las Vegas Raiders (4-5)

Lines Available

Jets(-110) @ Raiders(-110): O/U 36.5
Jets-1.0(-105), Raiders+1.0(-115)

Some may be wondering why the New York Jets (4-4) and the Las Vegas Raiders (4-5) are the Sunday primetime matchup, and I have no clear reasons why. The Jets are on a slightly shortened week after losing in the Monday night primetime matchup with the Chargers. The Raiders are riding high after destroying the hobbled Giants in their first game after the firing of their previous head coach Josh McDaniels.

Writer’s Record
Leans: 10-26 -9.02u
Bets: 14-22 -9.26u

Main Storylines to Watch

Where do the Raiders go from here? With the Raiders now at (4-4), they are fully alive in the AFC playoff race. The recent moves by the Raiders ownership seem to be leading them to a full rebuild with new leadership at coach, quarterback, and in the front office. However, if they win this game, they are in pole position for one of three AFC wildcard spots. Is this a rebuild or was the McDaniels firing used as a motivation factor to lead this team to the playoffs?

When is Zach Wilson going to lose his job as the starter? The Jets offense has been poor at best with Zach Wilson at quarterback. The Jets rank 30th in points per game. There are reports that many Jets players are getting frustrated with the coaches for keeping Wilson as the starter. Rodgers seems to believe he can defy modern science and return in a “few weeks” from the Achilles tear. Will Wilson make it till Rodgers can come back, or will someone else get a shot at running this offense?

Las Vegas Raiders

QB

Aidan O’Connell: O’Connell has a tough matchup in Week 10. Last week he was only needed to be a game manager, but this week is against a top-five defense in the NFL. O’Connell should not be started in this matchup. If he succeeds, O’Connell could be a valuable starter in two-QB leagues. If he struggles, O’Connell may need another week to determine his fantasy viability for the rest of the season.

RB

Josh Jacobs: As expected, the Raiders leaned on the run game to help their rookie QB. Jacobs had 26 carries, but no targets in Week 9. The Raiders were in control for the majority of the contest. This Jets matchup should prove to be a tougher matchup and it will be interesting to see if Jacobs can earn some volume in the passing games. Jacobs is an auto-start for the rest of the season as a low-end RB1.

WR

Davante Adams: Adams was the top target recipient in Week 9. O’Connell looks to be a volatile QB for the rest of the season, thus making Adams a volatile fantasy asset. I expect Adams to be a volatile WR2 for the rest of the season as a result. In this matchup against the Jets, I think he will be a WR20 – WR25 option.

Jakobi Meyers: Meyers was second in targets in Week 9 and managed to score on the ground with one 17-yard rush. Meyers is a sell-high if anyone still believes he can provide a WR3 value. I expect Meyers to be a bye-week fill-in at Flex for the rest of the season due to the volatility that will come from the QB position.

TE

Michael Mayer: Michael Mayer came into Week 8 as the clear TE starter for the Raiders, but he had the same targets as veteran TE Austin Hooper for the Raiders. In Week 9 with O’Connell leading the offense, Mayer was not a relevant offensive weapon with only two targets in that matchup. Put Mayer on your watch lists, but I doubt he will be fantasy-relevant this season.

New York Jets

QB

Zach Wilson: Zach Wilson should not be started in fantasy. The goal for fantasy purposes is that Zach Wilson hyper-targets WR Garrett Wilson and RB Breece Hall.

RB

Breece Hall: Hall had 20 touches in Week 9. He was inefficient with his touches, but he is still a valuable back for fantasy purposes due to his volume. Hall will be a borderline RB1/RB2 for the rest of the season and this matchup is no different.

Dalvin Cook: At this point in the season, Dalvin is just a high-end handcuff if Breece Hall goes down. He will still get touches, but this Jets offense is not good enough to support two quality fantasy players at the running back position. He is worthy of rostering but not worthy of starting.

WR

Garrett Wilson: Garrett Wilson was targeted 13 times in Week 9. Garrett managed seven catches for 80 yards. This is the type of output WIlson fantasy owners should expect for the rest of the season. Start Wilson as a low-end WR2 until something changes at the QB position.

TE

Tyler Conklin: The best-case scenario has Conklin as the third option in this Jets’ passing offense. The issue is this Jets’ passing offense is not good due to the QB play. Conklin is not worthy of a start or roster spot unless something changes at the QB position.

Betting Insight

PLEASE NOTE: This is intended for entertainment purposes. This is not intended as gambling advice. If you are looking for gambling advice from professionals, please sign up for the SportsEthos WagerPass. These are the thoughts of our fantasy football division experts, and some are sure to be better than others.

The Vegas projected score of this game is 18.75 Jets to 17.75 Raiders. The passing games are hard to predict due to the volatility of the QB position. Both RBs are RB1 caliber and they both have positive odds to score. I like both of those odds.

Lean: Breece Hall Anytime TD Scorer (+115) 1u to win 1.15u (DraftKings)
BET: Josh Jacobs Anytime TD Scorer (+100) 1u to win 1u (DraftKings)