Raiders Preview: Las Vegas Thinking NFL Playoffs In Trip To Visit Colts

Jeff Spiegel
Jeff Spiegel
6 Min Read
Dec 25, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) talks with head coach Antonio Pierce during the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Two weeks ago, the Las Vegas Raiders were 5-8 and coming off a loss in which they scored the same number of points as you and me. Fast-forward and as insane as it sounds, the Raiders are still technically alive for the postseason.

Yes, the odds are slim (NFL.com gives them a 12% chance) — but they’re not zero, and with the way the Raiders have looked the past two weeks I’m afraid to count them out. While they are currently 11th in the AFC at 7-8, they’re one game behind the four teams right in front of them — and are playing the current No. 7 seed, the Indianapolis Colts, this weekend.

While the Raiders are riding high with back-to-back wins, the Colts have lost two of their last three including an embarrassing 29-10 loss to the Falcons and Taylor Heinicke last week. Has the magic run out for Gardner Minshew and the Colts? Sunday’s test against what has become one of the better defenses in the league will go a long way toward telling us how serious both of these teams are about the postseason.

On to the picks…

Last Week: 4-0, +3.72u Season: 39-37-2, +2.59u

While Josh Jacobs to score was our fifth pick of the week (and he didn’t play), the other four picks all hit pretty comfortably for yet another perfect week. We’re back in the positive for the season and looking to stay that way with two weeks to go!

Gardner Minshew, Colts
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew II (10) sits on the bench during the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Colts UNDER 23.5 points (-115)

With all due respect to Mr. Minshew and the Colts, the Raiders just held Patrick Mahomes to just 14 points (seven of which came in what was essentially garbage time) so this number seems far too high. With star receiver Michael Pittman Jr. questionable to play in this one, I think the Raiders’ defense can key in on Jonathan Taylor and force the Colts to beat them through the air.

Malcolm Koonce, Raiders
Aug 26, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) reacts during the game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Patriots 23-6. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Malcolm Koonce OVER 0.5 sacks (+300)

Koonce has five sacks in his last two games, and as long as Maxx Crosby is on the other end of the line teams are going to dare Koonce to beat them. Over the last three weeks, Indianapolis is allowing four sacks per game (tied for the third-worst mark in the league), so this big number is too tempting to pass on.

Aidan O'Connell, Raiders
Dec 25, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell (4) throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Aidan O’Connell UNDER 211.5 passing yards (-115)

Even with Josh Jacobs listed as doubtful for this one, I think the Raiders will pound the rock and ask O’Connell to simply take what the defense gives him. While the Colts have struggled against the run (I’d have a Zamir White prop for you, but there aren’t any lines with Jacobs’ status still unofficial), they’re a middle-of-the-pack pass defense, allowing 220.7 passing yards per game. I think O’Connell is right around 190, so give me the under here.

Gardner Minshew, Colts
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew II (10) draws back to pass Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Gardner Minshew OVER 0.5 interceptions (+135)

Minshew has thrown an interception in seven of his last ten games, and the Raiders defense is feeling itself right now, playing with a confidence and swagger that makes an interception feel inevitable. If you want to get crazy, Jack Jones is +700 for getting the pick — but I’ll take the plus odds and take the field against Minshew.

Maxx Crosby, Raiders
Dec 25, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) reacts during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders TO WIN against Colts (+160)

The smart thing to do would be to take the 3.5 points, but the fun thing to do is to take the money line. In all seriousness: I think the Raiders are better than the Colts, and even though it’s on the road I think the Raiders are riding high after walking into Kansas City and leaving with a win — so give me the Raiders to win their third in a row. As for a final score? How about 23-17.

Information

Jeff Spiegel was raised in California but currently resides in Portland, Oregon. After graduating from the University of Oregon, he worked in sports before entering journalism full time — first as a Sports Reporter and then as the Associate Editor of a small newspaper. Online, he has been writing about both the Raiders and Dodgers since 2012 — having written for DodgersNation.com and SBNation.com prior to joining both DodgerBlue.com and RaidersNewswire.com. He left full-time journalism in 2012 to become a pastor. Jeff can be found on Twitter at @JeffSpiegel. Favorite Raider This one is an easy one for me: Charles Woodson. When the Raiders drafted him, there was nothing to dislike about the guy — he was exciting and he was freaking good. Unfortunately, of course, he left after eight seasons — but when he returned in 2013 it was one of the better Raider moments of my lifetime. At that point, I didn't care how washed he was (and he wasn't!) — I just liked having him back in the silver and black. Obviously Tim Brown is another guy that was easy to love, but Woodson is the all-timer for me. As far as current, I'm still a believer in Derek Carr and think he's going to figure this all out. Favorite Raider Moment I think I'll go with the two weeks leading up to the 2001 Super Bowl. As a kid, I remember getting the newspaper every morning to read what they were talking about, clipping out the articles to keep for later. It was obviously far more exciting than the Super Bowl itself, but I'll never forget those moments of hope leading up to the Super Bowl. I referenced it above, but second to that was probably the return of Charles Woodson in 2013 — I just loved the guy, and never dreamed he'd actually come back.