NFL Week 3 Predictions: 4 Reasons Why the Raiders Can Beat the Jets

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After a 1-1 road trip to begin the season for the Oakland Raiders, they are now coming home to the Bay Area to face off against the undefeated New York Jets. 

While the Jets are undefeated, they have been far from perfect. Their running game is currently ranked 28th. 

Oakland has a great opportunity to open people's eyes with a big win against the New York Jets, and here are the four reasons why they will get the victory in Week 3. 

4) Raiders Will Stack the Box and Force Mark Sanchez to Beat Them

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Week 3 will be the Raiders first home game and the Jets first road game of 2011.

As stated in the last slide, the Jets haven't been able to run the ball whatsoever in 2011. The Jets will continue that trend, as Oakland will stack the box  against them and force Mark Sanchez to throw more.

Sanchez has played alright in 2011, going 43-of-68 for 517 yards, four touchdowns, three interceptions and a fumble. 

Sanchez can turn the ball over, and the Raiders will surely place all of the pressure on the third-year quarterback in the Jets first road game. 

3) Raiders Will Get Some Injured Players Back

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The Raiders' injury level has not been quite as high as say the Kansas City Chiefs, but they have had a slew of injuries themselves. 

Tight end Kevin Boss was brought in to replace Zach Miller but hasn't played yet because of a knee injury. Boss was questionable in Week 2, but he should make his debut in front of the home crowd in Week 3. 

Boss will help the Raiders out both through the air and on the ground. 

In Week 2, the Raiders were without receivers Darrius Heyward-Bey, Jacoby Ford and Louis Murphy. This allowed rookie Denarius Moore to have a breakout game with five catches for 146 yards and a touchdown.

If the Raiders can get at least Boss and Heyward-Bey back, they will be in a good spot to take advantage of an under-performing Jets defense.

The Jets have allowed 208.5 passing yards in 2011, which is good for 11th in the NFL. Whoever Darrelle Revis covers will be shutdown, but other than that, the field will have some holes.  

2) Jets Will Be Without Center Nick Mangold

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Three-time Pro Bowl center Nick Mangold will be out approximately two weeks according to ESPN.com. 

As stated in the opening slide, the Jets have had more than a few problems running the ball in 2011. They have only averaged 73 rushing yards a game, which ranks them 28th in the NFL.

The Jets are a team that wants to run the ball in order to take pressure off of Mark Sanchez. Without Mangold, the Jets will struggle running the football. 

Look for the Raiders to take full advantage of this injury and place a bunch of pressure on Mangold's replacement, Colin Baxter. 

1) Darren McFadden Has Risen to the Elite Category

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Darren McFadden finished outside the top 10 in rushing in 2010 because he missed three games due to injury. 

Through Week 2, McFadden is second in the NFL with 222 rushing yards. He has a rushing touchdown as well. 

McFadden can also do a lot more damage through the air. After being held to one catch in Week 1, McFadden had seven catches for 71 yards and a touchdown in Week 2. 

Darren McFadden is in his fourth season and is showing his true potential. McFadden has a great opportunity to lead the Raiders to places they haven't been in nearly 10 years. 

Running against the Jets will not be easy, but it can be done. The Jets have allowed 88 yards per game in 2011, ninth best in the league.