The Seahawks return from their bye week to host the Las Vegas Raiders, who are hoping to build off of a dramatic overtime win over the Broncos on Sunday. To get ready for this week's game, we reached out to Raiders digital team reporter Levi Edwards with five questions about this week's opponent.
Expectations were obviously higher than a 3-7 start to the season for the Raiders, what has gone wrong for them to end up where they are up to this point? Is it as simple as an inability to close out close games or is there more to it?
Edwards: I truly believe it is that simple of a matter. The Raiders have proven they are a sound football team with great players. They've been up by at least 17 points in three of their losses. Additionally, they've had an opportunity to go up or tie on the last offensive possession in six of their games. Playing a full 60 minutes has been the detriment of the Raiders season, but fortunately for them it's something that can be easily improved with more comfortably with the new playbook and a heightened urgency – which was showcased in the overtime victory in Denver.
On the flip side of that, how big can last week's overtime win be for the Raiders going forward?
Edwards: Huge. It only takes one win to get things going. The Raiders of last year lost four out of five games in the middle of the season before going on a four-game win streak to end the season and earn a playoff berth. Many members of that resilient team are still here and have proven they can perform well under pressure. The win against the Broncos could be a shot of adrenaline to get things going to end the 2022 season on a higher note.
Three of Josh Jacobs' four 100-yard games have come in Raiders wins this year, how important is it for Vegas' offense to get the running game going?
Edwards: The Raiders are 6-1 in games in which Josh Jacobs has at least 100 rushing yards and a touchdown in his career. Jacobs brings an energy to the team that's hard to describe. He's the type of player the offense will run through a brick wall for when he gets rolling. His ability to succeed on the ground puts opposing defenses in a tricky dilemma with covering play-action passes, which is the fashion in which Davante Adams won the game for the Raiders last Sunday. If Jacobs gets going, it's hard to stop – for anyone.
Outside of the obvious big names like Adams, Crosby, Carr, Jacobs, etc. who is a player or players who might be an X-factor is this one?
Edwards: Mack Hollins has stepped up this year in more ways than one. The special teams captain plays with maximum effort and has taken advantage of playing next to Davante Adams. This season, he's reached a career high in receiving yards and catches, and is also second on the team in both categories. The big-body receiver will be needed Sunday for the Raiders, considering how physical the Seahawks secondary and linebackers are.
What matchup or matchups are you most looking forward to seeing in Sunday's game?
Edwards: I'm getting my popcorn out for Davante Adams and Tariq Woolen. Woolen is one of the most talented, young cornerbacks I've seen on film, and his size and speed are a mismatch against most receivers. However, Davante Adams isn't most receivers. He's second in the league in touchdown catches and his career statistics are on pace with Hall of Famers such as Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens and Cris Carter. Adams will be a great challenge for the rookie cornerback who has already seen his fair share of stars.
The Seahawks face the Raiders at Lumen Field for Week 12 of the 2022 season. Take a look back at photos from previous games between the two teams.
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Dave Brown (22) runs in pursuit during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, on November 6, 1977. The Raiders defeated the Seattle 44-7. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jim Zorn (10) throws a pass during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on November 26, 1978. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 17-16. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Seattle Seahawks Jim Zorn and kicker Efren Herrera (1) watch as the winning field goal goes through the crossbars in the last three seconds of play in game with Oakland Raiders in Oakland, Calif., Nov. 26, 1978. The kick was good for 46 yards and provided Seattle with 17-16 margin of victory. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jim Zorn (10) throws a pass during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on October 26, 1980. The Raiders defeated the Seahawks 33-14. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Oakland Raiders defensive end John Matuszak (72) pressures Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jim Zorn (10) during play in an NFL football game in 1981. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Los Angeles Raider Marcus Allen (32), center, makes his way over the goal line to score in second quarter action against the Seattle Seahawks at Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Ca., Dec. 5, 1982. (AP Photo/Doug Pizac)
Seattle Seahawks Steve Largent (80) runs a pass pattern during game against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Los Angeles Coliseum, Dec. 5, 1982. Raiders won, 28-22. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Los Angeles Raiders Hall of Fame linebacker Ted Hendricks (83) pressures Seattle Seahawks quarterback Dave Krieg (17) during an NFL game at the Los Angeles Coliseum on October 30, 1983. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 34-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Seattle Seahawks running back David Hughes (46) runs upfield during the 1983 AFC Championship NFL game against the Los Angeles Raiders in Los Angeles, Jan. 8, 1984. The Raiders defeated the Seahawks 30-14. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Seattle Seahawks safety Kenny Easley (45) rushes upfield during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Raiders Oct. 7, 1984, in Los Angeles. (NFL Photos via AP)
Seattle Seahawks running back Dan Doornink (33) goes for yardage in the second quarter while Los Angeles Raiders Vann McElroy (28) tackles him, as Raiders Mike Davis (36) watches during the Raiders 13-7 loss in the AFC wild card game at the Kingdome in Seattle, Wash., Saturday, Dec. 22, 1984. Doornink carried for 123 yards with 27 carries. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Marcus Allen action (32) of the Los Angeles Raiders makes the first down on this second quarter play against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 15, 1985, Los Angeles, Calif. Defending Allen are Seattle's John Harris (44) and Paul Moyer (21). (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
Seattle Seahawks receiver Steve Largent (80), center, holds the ball after catching a touchdown pass from Dave Krieg in the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Raiders in Seattle, Dec. 9, 1986. With Largent is Daryl Turner (81) and Paul Skansi (82). Seattle won 37-0. (AP Photo)
Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett (16) suffers a ten-yard sack at the hands of Seattle Seahawks linebacker Fredd Young (50), at Seattle, Dec. 8, 1986. (AP Photo)
Running back Bo Jackson (34) of the Los Angeles Raiders follows Dokie Williams (85) for a four yard gain against the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter of the Monday night game in Seattle, Wash., Nov. 30, 1987. Jackson had 122 yards in the first half of the game . (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Seattle Seahawks receiver Steve Largent (80), right, grabs a first-quarter 15-yard pass for a touchdown as he beats Lionel Washington (48) of the Los Angeles Raiders, during their night game in Seattle, Nov. 28, 1988. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Dave Krieg (17) eludes Los Angeles Raiders defender Greg Townsend, right, as Krieg scrambles to find a receiver late in the fourth quarter in Los Angeles, Oct. 2, 1989. Krieg completed 22 of 31 passes for 227 yards as the Seahawks edged the Raiders, 24-20. (AP Photo/Bob Galbraith)
Seattle Seahawks guard Edwin Bailey (65) battles Los Angeles Raiders linebacker Jerry Robinson (57) in an NFL game, Oct. 14, 1990, in Los Angeles. (NFL Photos via AP)
Seattle Seahawks center Grant Feasel (54) gets set to snap the ball during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Raiders, Oct. 14, 1990, in Los Angeles. (NFL Photos via AP)
Seattle Seahawks Chris Warren(42) in action during his 1992 season game against the Los Angeles Raiders on November 15, 1992 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The Raiders beat the Seahawks 20-3. Chris Warren played for 11 years with 3 different teams and was a 3-time Pro Bowler.(AP Photo/David Durochik)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Rick Mirer (3) gets set to throw a pass during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Raiders Dec. 12, 1993, in Los Angeles. (NFL Photos via AP)
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Raghib Ismail, (86) battles Seattle Seahawks Carlton Gray for the ball in the end zone during second quarter NFL action in Los Angeles, Sept. 11, 1994. The effort failed the pass was incomplete. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
Oakland Raiders running back Napoleon Kaufman (26) is tackled during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 8, 1995 in Oakland. The Raiders won the game, 34 to 14. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Oakland Raiders vs. Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Sunday, December 22, 1996. Seahawks beat Raiders 28-21. Oakland Raiders linebacker Mike Morton (50) tracks down Seattle Seahawks running back Lamar Smith (36) in the rain. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Oakland Raiders vs. Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Sunday, December 22, 1996. Seahawks beat Raiders 28-21. Oakland Raiders defensive back Lorenzo Lynch (43) and linebacker Mike Morton (50) hold on to Seattle Seahawks running back Lamar Smith (36). (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Oakland Raiders vs. Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Sunday, December 14, 1997. Seahawks beat Raiders 22-21. Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Warren (42). (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver James McKnight (82) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders Nov. 15, 1998, in Oakland, Calif. (Allen Kee via AP)
Seattle Seahawks punter Jeff Feagles (10) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders Nov. 15, 1998, in Oakland, Calif. (Greg Trott via AP)
Oakland Raiders vs. Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Sunday, December 5, 1999. Raiders beat Seahawks 30-21. Oakland Raiders center Adam Treu (62) and Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy (96) have words. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Seattle Seahawks kicker Todd Peterson (2) lifts his arms up as he hits a 45-yard field goal to put Seattle ahead 22-21 in the fourth quarter of their game Sunday, Oct. 3, 1999 against the Oakland Raiders in Seattle. The field goal was all Seattle needed as they held off Oakland to win the game. Also shown is Oakland's K. D. Williams (59) and Seattle's Christian Fauria (86). (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks running back Ricky Watters (32) heads downfield during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2000 in Oakland. The Raiders won the game, 31 to 3. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Oakland Raiders linebacker Eric Barton (50) rushes Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) on Sunday, September 30, 2001, in Oakland, California. The Raiders defeated the Seahawks 38-14. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Walter Jones (71) pass blocks during an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2001 in Oakland, Calif. The Raiders won the game, 38-14. (Greg Trott via AP)
Seattle Seahawks defensive back Zack Bronson (31) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2002, in Oakland, Calif. (Greg Trott via AP)
Oakland Raiders linebacker Eric Barton (50) tracks down Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (37) on Sunday, September 8, 2002, in Oakland, California. The Raiders defeated the Seahawks 31-17. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Seneca Wallace scrambles out of trouble against the Oakland Raiders in the first half of an NFL football game at Qwest Field in Seattle Monday, Nov. 6, 2006. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks' running back Leonard Weaver runs away from Oakland Raiders' Chris Clemons (48), and Robert Thomas (55) in the second quarter of NFL Football action at Qwest Field in Seattle on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)
Seattle Seahawks' T.J. Duckett runs against the Oakland Raiders' during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game Friday, Aug. 29, 2008, in Seattle. Duckett rushed for 71 yards and scored two touchdowns in the 23-16 win for the Seahawks. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Devin Moore, center left, tries to dodge a tackle from Oakland Raiders' Sam Williams, center right, and Jerome Boyd, right, in the second half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate (81) heads downfield during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010 in Oakland. The Raiders won the game 33 to 3. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Charlie Whitehurst (6) hands off to Thomas Clayton (45) in the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Sept. 2, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Clayton dives into the end zone over Raiders defenders for a touchdown during a preseason game against Oakland on September 2, 2011.
Seattle Seahawks defenders force a fumble in a preseason matchup against the Oakland Raiders on August 30, 2012.
Seattle Seahawks' Cooper Helfet dives across the goal line to score against the Oakland Raiders in the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Seahawks' Walter Thurmond, left, makes a one-handed interception of a pass intended for Oakland Raiders' Jacoby Ford (12), right, in the first half of an NFL preseason football game on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson flips the football to a Seahawks receiver to evade oncoming Oakland defender during a preseason game on August 29, 2013.
Seattle Seahawks tight end Luke Wilson pulls down reception in the open field against the Oakland Raiders during a preseason game on August 28, 2014.
Seattle Seahawks corner back DeShawn Shead celebrates as he enters the end zone after returning a Raiders pass back for six during a preseason game on August 28, 2014.
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril celebrates during a game against the Oakland Raiders on November 2, 2014. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 30-24.
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin takes back an interception for a touchdown during a game against the Raiders on November 4, 2014. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 30-24.
Seattle Seahawks free safety Ryan Murphy scans the Oakland Raiders backfield during a preseason game on September 3, 2015.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett runs by Raiders defenders on his way to the end zone during a preseason game on September 3, 2015.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson prepares to lead the team out to the field in Oakland during a preseason game on September 1, 2016.
Seattle Seahawks running back Alex Collins powers past Oakland defenders during a preseason game on September 1, 2016.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Kenny Lawler celebrates in the end zone after scoring a late game touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during a preseason game on August 31, 2017.
Seattle Seahawks Rodney Smith walks in for a score during a preseason matchup against the Raiders on August 31, 2017.
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson tips an Oakland Raiders pass during a preseason game on August 30, 2018.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Austin Davis throws a pass down the field during a preseason game against the Oakland Raiders on August 30, 2018.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin pulls down a tough catch over an Oakland Raiders defender during a game in London on October 14, 2018. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 27-3.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson throws down the field against the Oakland Raiders during a game in London on October 14, 2018. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 27-3.
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Jarren Reed sacks Oakland quarterback Derek Carr during a game in London on October 14, 2018. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 27-3.
