Week 5’s Monday Night Primetime game will consist of a matchup between the Las Vegas Raiders (1-3) and the Green Bay Packers (2-2). The Raiders, coming off a Week 4 24-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, will host the Packers at 8:15 ET, who are coming off of a loss of their own last Thursday night to the Detroit Lions 34-20. Both teams, who have had some early season struggles in finding their identity, will look to rebound this week.

Raiders Offense

Entering this matchup, the obvious headline for the Raiders is who will be starting under center. Josh McDaniels has made it clear that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is the preferred starter, but his condition as it relates to the concussion protocol is up in the air. If he were to miss his second straight game, fans would have to assume that rookie QB Aidan O’Connell would take the reins of the offense again. All things considered, O’Connell put in a decent performance for his first start, but he did take seven total sacks on the day. With defensive end Rashan Gary coming off the edge for the Packers, O’Connell or Garoppolo both could have a rough going if the Raiders do not address their shoddy pass protection from last weekend.

Speaking of the Raiders offense matching up with the Packers defense, the Raiders have to see some potential to find an identity. The passing game will be hard to get going, as the Packers will most likely be able to apply pressure with Gary and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. At the same time, the Packers, who look to return cornerback Jaire Alexander this weekend, have had a solid secondary throughout the season. Where the Packers defense has been lacking, however, is in the run game. Green Bay’s defense has graded as one of the worst run defenses in the league. For running back Josh Jacobs and the Raiders, who have been one of the worst graded rushing offenses in the league, this could be an opportunity to find some momentum. Either way, one of the two teams are going to make a turnaround, and the other is going to leave disappointed.

Expect the biggest matchup to be between wide receiver Davante Adams and the Packers defense. This will be the first game Adams has played versus his previous team, and every Raiders fan is certainly hoping for a revenge game. With Jaire Alexander probably returning, a matchup between him and Adams would certainly be a personal matchup worth primetime football.

Raiders Defense

Where the disparity may truly lie is in the matchup between the Packers offense and the Raiders defense. The Raiders, who to their credit shutout the Chargers in the second half, have struggled on defense all season. Their secondary has especially struggled, and although the Packers pass attack is young and inexperienced, they can certainly take advantage of that. The Packers are also hoping to return Aaron Jones to full capacity, which is certainly a huge bright spot for their offense. The Packers offensive line will most likely be missing three starters this weekend, a situation that the Raiders can certainly take advantage of. But with the recent release of Chandler Jones, if the Packers can find a way to limit star-player Maxx Crosby, they should not have to worry about anyone else on the Raiders defense.

Special Teams

Perhaps the most fun matchup of the week, though, is the matchup between place-kicking brothers. Daniel and Anders Carlson, both Auburn graduates, will see each other on the field for the first time in their careers. Daniel will kick for the Raiders as Anders kicks for the Packers, and both will look to outdo each other in their performance, just as they have tried to do throughout their lives.  

Result

As both teams look to rebound from their divisional losses last week, only one can come out as the winner. While both teams are struggling in different regards this season, and the game can certainly go either way, expect the Packers to walk out of Allegiant Stadium with a win. The Raiders will be outcoached, as has been the story many times this season, and the extra break and boost of players the Packers are receiving will help to propel them forward.

Prediction: Packers 24 - Raiders 14