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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Zach Kruse

Packers Wire staff predictions: Week 5 vs. Raiders

The Green Bay Packers (2-2) and Las Vegas Raiders (1-3) will finish off Week 5 in the NFL with a showdown at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Monday night.

Can Matt LaFleur and the Packers go into the bye week with a big primetime win and a 3-2 record?

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Here’s how the staff at Packers Wire believes the Week 5 showdown with the Raiders will go down:

Zach Kruse (3-1): Packers 27, Raiders 20

A lot of winning factors appear to favor the talented but inconsistent Packers. The Raiders have a turnover-prone quarterback, are struggling to run the football and control the line of scrimmage, and rank among the NFL’s worst on third down and in the red zone on both sides of the ball. While Davante Adams and Maxx Crosby present obvious matchup problems, the Packers are finally getting healthy on offense (especially at the skill positions) and the defense matches up well. This should be a great opportunity for Jordan Love to play efficiently, the run game to gain traction and the defense to create several turnovers. The Packers need to play well to beat any team, especially on the road, but this is a game Matt LaFleur’s team should win.

Brandon Carwile (3-1): Packers 35, Raiders 27

This will hopefully be a get-right game for Green Bay’s run game. Las Vegas’ defense is currently ranked 27th against the run and Pro Bowler Elgton Jenkins will be back in the lineup, giving the offensive line a nice boost. Jordan Love will also have all his weapons at his disposal, so putting up points shouldn’t be an issue. If the Raiders are smart, they will pound running back Josh Jacobs. For as bad as Las Vegas’ run defense is, Green Bay’s is even worse (ranked 30th). The Raiders will stick by leaning on Jacobs and throwing the ball to Davante Adams, who is having another great year and facing off against his former team. However, even with strong games from Jacobs and Adams, I think the Packers will come out on top in a shootout and head into the bye week sitting at 3-2.

Paul Bretl (3-1): Packers 27, Raiders 23

Of course it’s easier said than done, but priority No. 1 for the Packers is to not let Davante Adams or Maxx Crosby absolutely dominate the game. Both are going to find success – they’re just that good – but as long as neither completely takes over, this game presents a great opportunity for the Packers to bounce-back on both sides of the ball. Outside of Crosby, the Raiders defense has struggled against the run and ranks near the bottom in points per game allowed, red zone defense, and third down defense. On the flip side, outside of Adams, the Raiders have the worst rushing offense in football statistically, struggle to put up points, and Jimmy Garoppolo leads the NFL in interceptions. This game will tell us a lot about this Packers team because, on paper, it’s one that they should very much win.

Brennen Rupp (3-1): Packers 24, Raiders 17

Jordan Love could finally have his full stable of weapons around him and aside from David Bakhtiari the offensive line is starting to get healthy. The two big factors for the Packers will be can they keep Maxx Crosby from wrecking the game and can they keep Josh Jacobs in check? Crosby has three sacks and 17 pressures in the past two games. He’s fully capable of blowing up any given drive. Jacobs and the ground game for the Raiders have gotten off to a slow start. However, he’s coming off his best game of the season in which he accounted for 139 yards for scrimmage, with one touchdown and he now leads all running backs in receiving yards. Joe Barry’s squad will get enough stops and Love will make enough plays to escape Sin City with a win on Monday Night Football.

Season prediction records

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur talks with quarterback Jordan Love (10) after a failed two point conversion attempt againt the Detroit Lions during their football game Thursday, September 28, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.
Writer Record Prediction Score
Zach Kruse 3-1 Win 27-20
Brandon Carwile 3-1 Win 35-27
Paul Bretl 3-1 Win 27-23
Brennen Rupp 3-1 Win 24-17

 

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