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Oakland Raiders: 4 Bold predictions vs. Packers, Week 7

By Steve Rivera

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Daryl Worley #20 of the Oakland Raiders runs with the ball after making an interception, going on to score a touchdown which is later reversed after a review during the NFL match between the Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 06, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Daryl Worley #20 of the Oakland Raiders runs with the ball after making an interception, going on to score a touchdown which is later reversed after a review during the NFL match between the Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 06, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 22: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders looks on during the fourth quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Raiders 34-14. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 22: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders looks on during the fourth quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Raiders 34-14. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

2. Raiders Win Time of Possession

It’s no small statistic, but when the Oakland Raiders win the time of possession battle, they win the game. In losses to both to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Minnesota Vikings, they also lost the time of possession battle.

For the Raiders to win on the road, especially in a hamlet like Green Bay, winning that statistical line is critical. That means keeping Aaron Rodgers off of the field. It also means that Oakland has to run the ball with the kind of success that has Josh Jacobs in the Offensive Rookie of the Year mix.

They can and they will. Against a very good Bears defense, Jacobs worked Khalil Mack and the Chicago D to the tune of 123 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns. As a whole, the Raiders ran the ball extremely well, collecting 169 yards overall and three touchdowns. It’s that kind of day that wins the time of possession battle.

The Raiders have a unique opportunity in Week 7. Beating the division-leading Packers after knocking off a good Bears team in London signals that Oakland won’t be an easy out. Winning the TOP stat line might be small in the fans’ mind, but what it accomplishes is keeping a first-ballot Hall of Famer in Rodgers off of the field. If the Raiders own TOP, they own the Packers and win in Week 7.

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