Raiders vs. Jets Week 8 Preview: Geno Smith Faces His Old Team as Two Losing Streaks Collide

One losing streak dies on Sunday. That is the most optimistic sentence anyone can write about Raiders at Jets, a meeting between a team that has not won since September and a team that just lost at home to a previously winless division rival. Bring snacks. Lower expectations. Enjoy the chaos.

The Las Vegas Raiders (3-4) visit the New York Jets (2-5) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. Vegas has dropped four straight after a 3-0 start. New York has lost two in a row, including a 28-25 home loss to Miami, and has dropped four one-possession games this season, per the Jets' site.

Two Fan Bases, One Group Chat Meltdown

The Raiders are only the 13th team of the Super Bowl era to open 3-0 and then lose four straight, per the AP, and only the 2000 Buccaneers made the playoffs from that spot. Some fans want No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza under center. Klint Kubiak shut that down this week, saying the 38-year-old Kirk Cousins stays the starter and that "there is no controversy." Cousins does lead the NFL with 16 touchdown passes. "The production's there. But it's a team game, so we've got to produce together in order to win football games," Kubiak said.

The Jets' version of the drama centers on the sideline. Aaron Glenn is 5-19 as New York's coach, and the AP describes his seat as already simmering after the Miami loss. His locker room is backing him. "I think A.G. is one of the best I've ever been around," center Josh Myers said this week.

Then there is the reunion. Geno Smith started for Las Vegas last season, when he led the NFL with 17 interceptions. Now he is completing 70% of his passes for the Jets with 10 touchdowns and two picks. Smith insists it is just another game. "It's the most important game because it's the next one," he said this week, which is also exactly what you would say if you had circled the date.

The Matchup That Decides It: Ashton Jeanty vs. the Jets' Run Defense (and His Own Mouth)

Las Vegas cannot run the ball. The Raiders average 74.7 rushing yards per game, ahead of only Green Bay, and Ashton Jeanty has 328 yards on 106 carries. Last week he managed 15 yards on eight attempts against the Rams. That did not stop him from lighting a fuse on Wednesday, saying the Jets have "a couple guys out there that don't really want to tackle, but I'm not going to say names."

Bulletin-board material, delivered. The Jets rank 24th against the run at 127.7 yards allowed per game, so Jeanty is not wrong that there is room. Linebacker Demario Davis declined the war of words this week. "I think our defense as a whole, our best football is in front of us," Davis said.

The other side of this matchup may matter more. Las Vegas is 30th against the run at 143.6 yards allowed per game, per the AP, and Braelon Allen just ran for 104 yards against Miami. If the Jets can lean on Allen, Smith should get cleaner looks downfield.

Players to Watch

Geno Smith, QB, Jets. He is 145 of 207 for 1,623 yards and a 105.2 passer rating. His eight completions of 40-plus yards are the most by a Jets quarterback through seven games since Joe Namath in 1972, per the team.

Kirk Cousins, QB, Raiders. Cousins has 1,877 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions, and threw for 295 yards and two scores against the Rams. The touchdowns are there. The wins are not.

Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Jets. The rookie torched Miami for five catches, 115 yards and a touchdown. He is the third player in NFL history with at least five catches, 100 yards and a touchdown in two of his first three career games, per the AP.

Maxx Crosby, DE, Raiders. Smith called his old teammate a "good friend" and a "game-wrecker," per the Jets' site. Crosby has only two sacks this season, and the Jets' line will be shorthanded. "Adversity reveals who you are," Crosby said this week.

Injury Report

The Jets ruled out tackle Max Mitchell (concussion), edge rusher Joseph Ossai (ankle) and defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat (knee), who was placed on injured reserve Saturday. Rookie edge rusher David Bailey, the team leader with 5.5 sacks, is doubtful with a groin injury. Running back Breece Hall (quadriceps) and guard Dylan Parham (knee) are questionable, per the team injury report.

The Raiders ruled out defensive end Patrick Johnson (stinger), who has since moved to injured reserve. Guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (back) is questionable. Receiver Jack Bech (forearm) was listed as questionable and has been activated off injured reserve, per the team. Tight end Carter Runyon (foot), defensive end Keyron Crawford (ankle) and cornerback Chigozie Anusiem (knee) remain on injured reserve.

By the Numbers

• DraftKings lists New York as a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 45.5, via ESPN, as of Saturday.
• ESPN's matchup predictor actually leans Las Vegas, giving the Raiders a 51.5% chance to win.
• The Jets have been outscored 107-6 in the final two minutes of the first half over the past two seasons under Glenn, per the AP.
• The Raiders are tied for second in the NFL with 12 takeaways.
• New York has scored on its opening drive in three straight games.

Our Pick: Cousins Gets Clean Pockets

The Jets are likely to be without three front-seven regulars in Bailey, Ossai and Sweat, and that is a dangerous way to face the league leader in touchdown passes. Smith will have his moments, and Allen should find room, but the Raiders' takeaway habit is the tiebreaker in a game this even.

Our pick: Raiders 26, Jets 23. Vegas snaps the skid, the Mendoza chatter goes quiet for a week, and the noise in New York gets louder.

Odds from DraftKings via ESPN as of Oct. 31. Injury statuses from team reports via ESPN, newyorkjets.com and raiders.com. Quotes as reported by the Associated Press and newyorkjets.com.