Previewing Oakland Raiders' Christmas Day Matchup with Eagles
When the Oakland Raiders (6-8) and Philadelphia Eagles (12-2) kick off at Lincoln Financial Field on Christmas Day, one team will play to maintain the top spot in the NFC while the other hopes to keep its competitive fire through the final two games.
Aside from playing for pride, the Raiders have several players set to hit the free-agent market.
General manager Reggie McKenzie will contemplate re-signing in-house talents such as cornerback T.J. Carrie, defensive lineman Denico Autry, defensive tackle Justin Ellis and linebacker NaVorro Bowman. In other words, it's roster-evaluation time in Oakland.
For the Eagles, the show has gone on without quarterback Carson Wentz, who suffered an ACL tear in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams. Nick Foles took over and tossed four touchdown passes against the New York Giants, but the defense surrendered 29 points en route to a 34-29 victory.
Despite a disappointing year, there's one silver lining for the Raiders. Since John Pagano took over play-calling duties for Ken Norton Jr., the defense has shown improvement. Oakland's much-maligned pass defense didn't allow a touchdown through the air in the previous outing with the Dallas Cowboys.
The Silver and Black hope to continue progression on defense against an offense that's still rolling without its starting signal-caller. Without playoff pressure on their shoulders, will the Raiders record an upset on Christmas Day?
Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Date: Monday, Dec. 25
Time: 5:30 p.m. PT / 8:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
News and Rumors
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Head Coach Jack Del Rio on the Hot Seat, Todd Downing Likely Out
According to ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio, head coach Jack Del Rio sits on a hot seat, with the front office weighing its decision on the final two performances.
Florio's report doesn't give specifics on what Del Rio needs to ensure he's back as the head coach in 2018, but there's already a discussion about what's next after a disappointing season.
Oakland finishes the year with two road games. A loss to the Eagles, the No. 1 seed in the NFC, seems reasonable. However, losing the season series to the Los Angeles Chargers in a sweep doesn't bode well for a yearly evaluation.
Nonetheless, it would likely take two more embarrassing losses to send Del Rio to the exit.
As for offensive coordinator Todd Downing, it's unacceptable to take over the No. 7 scoring offense from the previous year and rank No. 22 in points scored with added weapons in tight end Jared Cook, running back Marshawn Lynch and wideout Cordarrelle Patterson.
Downing held the position for a year, but it's clear he's not ready for a coordinator role after serving six years as a quarterbacks coach.
Oakland Raiders Place 2 Offensive Linemen on IR, Sign Ian Silberman
The team officially placed tackle Donald Penn (foot) and guard Jon Feliciano (concussion) on injured reserve Friday. In corresponding moves, Oakland plucked interior offensive lineman Ian Silberman from the Cleveland Browns practice squad and promoted linebacker Brady Sheldon to the active roster.
Penn's injury required surgery, which went well according to his wife, Dominique, via Twitter. It's also worth noting linebacker Bruce Irvin remains in concussion protocol, per San Francisco Chronicle reporter Matt Kawahara.
Sean Smith Will Stand Trial for Assault, Battery Charges in the Offseason
According to Los Angeles Times reporter Nathan Fenno, a judge ruled there is sufficient evidence to move forward to trial in an assault case involving cornerback Sean Smith and his sister's ex-boyfriend.
"During the preliminary hearing at the Pasadena Courthouse, two witnesses testified they saw a man they identified as Smith stomp the head of Christopher Woods as he lay bleeding and unconscious near the corner of Colorado Boulevard and Arroyo Parkway," Fenno reported.
The decision stems from an incident that occurred July 4, but the court process will begin in the offseason. Despite Smith's quality play in recent outings, his legal matters put him in a precarious situation after a campaign with mixed performances.
Injury Report
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Mario Edwards Jr. DE, Oakland Raiders (ankle)
Defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. will miss consecutive games with an ankle injury. He practiced with limitations Thursday and Friday but sat out Saturday's session. In a contest that may feature the ground attacks, it's a notable loss for the Raiders front seven.
Amari Cooper WR, Oakland Raiders (ankle)
Amari Cooper logged practices Friday and Saturday. Del Rio said there's "a good chance we'll have him" after the team's final walk-through before heading to Philadelphia. It's an obvious plus to have a starting wide receiver back on the field, but he must protect that ankle to avoid further injury in a lost season.
Derek Barnett DE, Philadelphia Eagles (groin)
Pass-rusher Derek Barnett lists questionable with a groin injury. Without Penn at left tackle, the Eagles may opt to overload Oakland quarterback Derek Carr's blind side to test the pass protection. The Tennessee product would add speed and raw power to Philadelphia's push toward the pocket. He has yet to miss a game this season.
Jalen Mills CB, Philadelphia Eagles (ankle)
According to Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Zach Berman, cornerback Jalen Mills touched the top of a doorway to show he's ready to play against the Raiders.
Through ups and downs, the second-year cornerback has started in all 14 games this season. He would likely line up against Cooper if both players take the field Christmas Day.
Matchups to Watch
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Marshawn Lynch vs. Philadelphia Eagles Run Defense
Marshawn Lynch has averaged at least 4.75 yards per carry in each of his past three outings. He's also logged 16-plus rush attempts in two of those contests.
After Cooper suffered an ankle injury and concussion in Week 12 against the Denver Broncos, Downing has decided to lean on Beast Mode down the stretch. Del Rio expressed optimism in the 23-year-old pass-catcher's return to action, but the Raiders should continue to seek offensive balance with frequent handoffs to Lynch against the No. 1 run defense in the league.
Sean Smith vs. Alshon Jeffery
As previously mentioned, Smith's coverage has vastly improved since Pagano took over play-calling duties. He gave up a reception to wideout Dez Bryant late in the fourth quarter but held the Dallas Cowboys' top receiver to two catches for 59 yards for the game.
Cornerback David Amerson continues to nurse a foot injury that's kept him out since Week 7. Smith draws another tough matchup with wideout Alshon Jeffery, who's scored in consecutive games and leads the Eagles in touchdown catches with nine.
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Team X-Factors
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QB Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles
Foles carved holes through the Giants pass defense, but there's still so much to prove in Wentz's absence. Despite good fantasy football numbers, 237 passing yards and four touchdowns, the Eagles signal-caller struggled with pocket pressure.
At times, Foles didn't know what to do with the football against the blitz or with pass-rushers breathing down his neck. He'll look to escape Pagano's pressure schemes that often use a disguised four-man rush to reach the quarterback. Philly won't just burn through Oakland's pass defense. The Eagles face a tougher secondary than the numbers suggest on paper.
TE Jared Cook, Oakland Raiders
Without Cooper active or healthy, tight end Jared Cook had an opportunity to fill a void in the passing attack. However, he's only recorded more than two catches in one contest since the wide receiver's injury struggles began in Week 12.
Regardless of Cooper's availability, wide receiver Michael Crabtree needs help in moving the chains through the air.
According to Football Outsiders, the Eagles allow an average 6.7 catches and 48.5 receiving yards to tight ends per contest. Oakland must put up points in case Philadelphia's running backs gash the run defense. Cook's ability to contribute gives Carr another reliable option against an aggressive front seven.
Must-Start Fantasy Options
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RB Jay Ajayi, Philadelphia Eagles
Pagano hasn't tightened the defense on all levels. Oakland's defensive line remains susceptible to big runs. The unit allowed 291 rushing yards over the past two games.
In Week 14, Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt rediscovered his mojo against the Raiders defense with a 100-yard performance after falling short of the century mark in seven consecutive contests. Prescott didn't throw the ball well, but he scored on a five-yard scramble late in the third quarter in the previous matchup.
After a slow start in a new uniform, Jay Ajayi's saw an uptick in his rush attempts as the lead running back over his past two outings. He's reached 80-plus total yards in each of the last two games and flashed the ability to rip off a big gain as a ball-carrier or receiver.
WR Michael Crabtree, Oakland Raiders
Crabtree went five games without a touchdown and broke out for a pair of scores against the Cowboys. If Cooper takes the field, he may steal targets, but the 30-year-old pass-catcher has deservedly established himself as the top option in the passing attack.
When excluding the Broncos game in which the officials ejected Crabtree and cornerback Aqib Talib for their skirmish, the Raiders' leader in touchdown grabs (eight) saw double-digit targets in the previous three contests.
The Eagles pass defense allowed 434 passing yards to Giants quarterback Eli Manning. Carr could attack this unit by throwing deep, which carries some benefit for Crabtree owners in fantasy football.
Prediction
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The chess match between Pagano and Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich will take the stage in this contest. We will see how Foles responds to constant pressure with disguises early in the game. If he's able to neutralize edge-rushers Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin (if he's available) with handoffs to the running backs, it will be an easy ride to 13-2 for the Eagles.
However, Philadelphia must close the gaps on defense to ensure Carr doesn't find success with Cook down the seam or Crabtree on the perimeter. In recent weeks, Downing has shown a commitment to the ground attack, which keeps the Eagles defense honest when taking guesses on pass vs. run plays.
Treyvon Hester and Edwards have been ruled out. Autry dealt with an ankle injury through practices. After the first couple of weeks, defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes has vanished as an impact interior defender. Oakland's run defense could become its Achilles' heel against a backfield that uses four running backs.
Philadelphia's offense will control the game flow with a conservative, patient approach using short passes and a dominant ground attack en route to victory.
Prediction: Eagles 28, Raiders 20
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