The Las Vegas Raiders, mired in a three-game losing skid, enter Sunday’s matchup against the Indianapolis Colts facing what feels like a do-or-die test at Lucas Oil Stadium.
For the Colts (3-1), it’s a chance to prove they’re still the tough, well-balanced team that opened the season strong, not the mistake-prone unit that fell apart last week with 11 penalties, 10 men on the field, and a costly goal-line fumble.
“I think what made it so disappointing is that a lot of us kind of came out of it and said, ‘We could have won that game,’” analyst Justin Aufiero said. “Right like in many ways it was defined by self-inflicted wounds speak of wounds… I mean you want to talk about a wound you want to talk about a tough player.”
The Colts’ strength has been their “classic football” approach - smashmouth runs paired with steady passing. Quarterback Daniel Jones, once written off in New York, has found new life in Indianapolis. Former Raiders RB Rashad Jennings appeared on the Raiders Podcast on Friday, saying:
“Daniel Jones, he was thrown into the trash, into the lion's den, and he's no more,” Jennings said. “He thrown away from the Giants, and he goes and he gets a revamped start where now in what week four, he's the second leading passer in the NFL, and it's like where did this guy come from? And then also, you look at the rushing game, the Indianapolis Colts, number one in rushing yards in the NFL.”
Las Vegas, now 1-3, faces a battered offensive line after losing left tackle Kolton Miller to injured reserve. Stone Forsythe steps in to anchor a unit ranked 29th by Pro Football Focus. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly will be leaning on quick passes to protect Geno Smith, who leads the league with seven interceptions.
“He's known for getting the ball right in these skinny windows,” Jennings said. “I think it's, it's still a little bit early in the NFL right now, in the first quarter, but you're trying to get in routine with your guys, and you see that across the league, you saw that last night with the Rams and took on the 49ers, like you see veteran quarterbacks still not in tune with all their receivers, so I think that will come.”
The Raiders will rely on RB Ashton Jeanty, fresh off a breakout game, and defensive star Maxx Crosby, who had three tackles for loss, three batted passes, and an interception last week. Rookie tight end Brock Bowers is expected to play despite limited practice time, according to coach Pete Carroll.
The Colts’ defense, though strong up front, remains thin in the secondary after the retirement of cornerback Xavien Howard and a torn Achilles that sidelined Kenny Moore. That weakness could give Smith a rare opening - if he can protect the ball.
For Las Vegas, this matchup is more about survival. To pull off an upset and avoid a 1-4 start, the Raiders must win the turnover battle by at least two and clamp down on the Colts’ punishing run game.