Oakland Raiders v. New York Jets: A Few Week Two X-Factors

The Oakland Raiders play host to the New York Jets in a week two clash – let’s take a look at a few of the game’s potential X-Factors.

The Oakland Raiders and New York Jets are two franchises headed on seemingly opposite trajectories. While the Raiders are looking to build on last season’s playoff appearance, the Jets seem to be in a sorta, kinda, rebuilding mode.

Although, they’ve made a point of shooting down every suggestion that they’re tanking this year in an effort to secure the number one overall pick in 2018 – wink, wink, nod, nod.

Still, Gang Green has some players who can make life difficult for the Raiders, should the Silver and Black foolishly take this team lightly.

While New York’s offense might be a little light on talent, their defense has some stout playmakers. Derek Carr and that Oakland offense will need to tread carefully through those waters as the Jets defense is physical and opportunistic.

While admittedly, the Bills don’t have an offense that stacks up with Oakland’s, it took Buffalo a full 60 minutes to put this Jets team away. New York’s defense put the team on its back and helped them hang around until the final gun on a 21-12 loss to the Bills.

Oakland has the playmakers on the offensive side of the ball that could exploit the weaknesses that exist in New York’s defense and make this game an easier ride than Buffalo had. But they’ve got to come ready to play and not let the Jets hang around.

It’s not necessarily going to be a walk in the park. But if the Raiders come to play, they could make it a very tough day on the Jets – and perhaps, if all goes well enough, even an early day for the starters.

With that in mind, let’s look at a few of the X-Factors that could have a big impact on Sunday…