4 bold predictions for the Giants vs. Raiders showdown in Week 9

In what has been a tumultuous week for the Raiders, the NY Giants need to block out the noise and try to bounce back from their despicable loss to the Jets.

Since the Raiders loss to the Lions on Monday Night Football, the team has fired general manager David Ziegler, head coach Josh McDaniels and offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi. In light of the news, they also decided to bench quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for rookie signal-caller Aidan O’Connell.

Despite all the turmoil, the Raiders are still favored in the Week 9 showdown against Big Blue. With that in mind, here are four bold predictions for the Giants vs. Las Vegas on Sunday afternoon:

4. Kayvon Thibodeaux ups his sack total to 10 (or more)

Kayvon Thibodeaux has been a silver lining for the G-Men in what has quickly become a lost season. He has taken that next step in his development after what was an underwhelming rookie season and looks like the player the front office thought he would be when they selected him with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Through eight games this season, Thibodeaux is currently tied for third in the NFL in sacks (8.5) with Defensive Player of the Year candidates T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett. Additionally, he has eight tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, one pass deflection, a forced fumble, and ranks in the Top 10 in pressures (19).

In other words, Thibodeaux has been a menace for opposing offenses. Now, he faces a reeling Raiders team that ranks 10th in sacks allowed (22). O’Connell took seven sacks in his lone NFL start this season in large part due to his willingness to hold onto the football for longer than he should.

Coming off a three-sack performance against the Jets, expect Thibodeaux to carry that momentum in Week 9 and reach double-digit sacks on the season.

3. Wan’Dale Robinson scores his first TD of 2023

Since returning in Week 3 from a torn ACL he suffered last season, Wan’Dale Robinson has been a focal point of the Giants passing game. Robinson has had at least five targets in four of six games upon his return, yet has zero touchdowns to show for it. Both Robinson and teammate Darius Slayton rank within the top 12 of the NFL for most targets without a touchdown according to StatMuse.

Week 9 is when the scoring drought finally ends for Robinson (and hopefully Slayton). With Daniel Jones expected to return from a three-game absence due to a neck injury, the Giants offense will likely revert to the short-to-intermediate and quick-style passing.

Jones ranks near the bottom of the league in aDOT (average depth of target), which bodes well for Robinson’s prospects as a receiver who mostly operates from the slot. Moreover, the Raiders defense is quietly ninth in the NFL in opponent passing yards per game (197.0), suggesting that Jones and the offense will likely need to dink and dunk their way down the field.

Robinson figures to be a big part of the Giants game plan heading into Week 9 and has a great opportunity ahead of him to get off the schneid with his first touchdown of the 2023 season.

2. Saquon Barkley goes off for 150+ scrimmage yards

Since his return from an ankle injury, it has become clear that Saquon Barkley is the engine that drives the Giants offense. Not only has he received at least 21 carries in each of the past three games upon his return, but he’s also earned no less than four targets in that span. Barkley has averaged over 114 scrimmage yards per game during that stretch.

The Raiders are a surprisingly stout defensive unit against the pass, but have been a run-funnel for opposing offenses, ranking 30th in the NFL in opponent rushing yards per game (140.6). Giants head coach Brian Daboll stated that tackles Andrew Thomas and Evan Neal both have “an opportunity” to return from injury this week per ESPN’s Giants reporter Jordan Raanan.

With the offensive line potentially being at full strength for the first time since the first half of Week 1 against a team that struggles to defend the run, expect the Giants to lean heavily on Barkley and the run game in Week 9.

Not to mention, Jones is expected to return to the lineup from a neck injury. Being that this is the second time Jones has dealt with a similar neck injury in the past few seasons, the G-Men would be wise to lean on their Pro Bowl running back in Jones’ first game back. Expect a big game from Barkley in Week 9, eclipsing 150 yards from scrimmage.

1. Deonte Banks contains Davante Adams

Deonte Banks has lived up to the billing of being a first-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft:

Through eight weeks, he has held his own against some of the NFL’s best wide receivers, including the likes of CeeDee Lamb, Deebo Samuel/Brandon Aiyuk, DK Metcalf, Jaylen Waddle, Stefon Diggs, Garrett Wilson and more. In Week 9, he will have arguably his biggest test yet against All-Pro wideout Davante Adams.

Adams has struggled over the past month, being held under five receptions and 50 receiving yards in three of his last four games despite seeing seven targets per game in that span. He’s made it known that he is frustrated with his involvement (or lack thereof) in the Raiders offense and he will be on a mission to overcome his recent struggles with his new quarterback and coaching staff.

Last week against the Jets was the first time defensive coordinator Wink Martindale had Banks shadow a receiver, covering Garrett Wilson on 37 of his 38 routes. With that in mind, Banks is likely going to be shadowing Adams.

Expect Adams to be the focal point of the Raiders offensive game plan in Week 9 in their first game of the post-Josh McDaniels era, but also don’t count out Banks keeping him in check. Banks are usually closed on Sundays and that will be the case this week when he contains Adams in front of his home crowd.