Raiders vs. Jets 2014 game preview: New York welcomes new-look Oakland squad

The Raiders look to reacquaint themselves with winning as they travel to New York to take on the defensive-minded Jets.

Sep 7, 2014, 3:15 PM UTC

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Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

The 2014 NFL season begins this afternoon for the Oakland Raiders and the New York Jets, two non-playoff teams from last season with questions at quarterback.

The last time the two teams met was Week 14 of the 2013 season. Though the Jets never trailed, the Raiders managed to make it a contest. After trailing by three scores at halftime, Oakland fought back to trail by 10 points early in the fourth quarter. That’s as close as the Raiders would get, as the Jets held firm to finish with a 37-27 victory.

After a decade-long playoff drought, an opening week win for Oakland would signal that the tandem of GM Reggie McKenzie and head coach Dennis Allen may indeed have the potential to turn around the franchise.

For the Jets, a team facing seven squads with a .500 or better record in 2013 over the next nine weeks, defeating the Raiders could prove necessary for a team looking to end the Patriots' stranglehold on the AFC East.

Let’s take a look at the two teams below.

Meet the Raiders

In the years following the team's crushing 48-21 defeat at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII, the Raiders have devolved from dynamo to directionless. Oakland owner Al Davis lost the magic touch that made him one of the league's most creative and respected personnel men, seemingly focused only on 40-yard-dash times than on football playing ability. In his last years, Davis' club never topped 8-8, and was better known for punch outs between members of the coaching staff than winning.

Part of Oakland's downfall is doubtlessly linked to their inability to find a franchise quarterback. Since 2002 MVP Rich Gannon retired, the Raiders have trotted out a cavalcade of mediocre or worse signal callers including Kerry Collins, Andrew Walter, Dante Culpepper, Jason Campbell and the incomparable JaMarcus Russell.

However, Oakland may have found its answer in rookie second-round pick Derek Carr, a product of nearby Fresno State. Carr faces criticism regarding his pocket poise as well as unfavorable comparisons to his older brother David (a busted first-overall pick), but his athleticism and arm talent make him an intriguing prospect. Following Matt Schaub struggles throughout the preseason, the Raiders have tabbed Carr as the Week 1 starter.

But quarterback is not the only area the Raiders have addressed this offseason. The defensive line has been reinforced by free agent signees Justin Tuck, Lamarr Woodley and Antonio Smith, a group that features five Pro Bowl selections, three All-Pro honors and two Super Bowl rings between them. Behind them stands Khalil Mack, a pass rushing linebacker that has earned comparisons to Packers All-Pro Clay Matthews. On offense, the Raiders have turned over the left tackle and right guard spots to Donald Penn and Austin Howard respectively. They'll open holes for fellow free agent addition Maurice Jones-Drew, who comes over after eight years with the Jaguars.

The Raiders have lost their last two regular season-opening games and nine out of their previous 10.

Meet the Jets

Now entering his sixth season as head coach of the New York Jets, Rex Ryan hasn’t had a winning record since 2010, the year the team last qualified for the postseason. Competing in the same division as the New England has played a role in that sustained mediocrity, but ultimately what has kept the Jets from reaching the playoffs is quality play at quarterback.

This offseason marked the end of the Jets partnership with Mark Sanchez, a former fifth-overall pick and one-time "Sanchize" quarterback. The move was predicated on New York's selection of Geno Smith a year earlier, a former second-rounder who struggled with accuracy and turnovers as a rookie. Smith enters the 2014 regular season as the starter but will have free agent addition Michael Vick breathing down his neck until he establishes himself as a reliable passer. Regardless of who's under center, the offense will rely heavily on a running game led by Chris Ivory and one-time 2,000-yard rusher Chris Johnson.

While the offense is in limbo, the Jets defense is one of the better units in the NFL. The front seven is led by All-Pro defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson and 2013 Defensive Rookie of the Year Sheldon Richardson. Behind them are reliable but aging linebackers Calvin Pace and David Harris. While the secondary is in a state of flux, the Jets hope to get improved play from 2013 first-round cornerback Dee Milliner as well as quality contribution from 2014 top pick Calvin Pryor.

The Jets have won their last three regular season openers and only lost one under Rex Ryan.

Injuries

The biggest name on the injury report is Jets cornerback Dee Milliner. He’s got an ankle injury and missed practice this week. He is officially ruled out for this game, and he was expected to be the team’s starting No. 1 cornerback t his season. They’ve got a few other guys, like Nick Bellore and Antonio Allen, but the rest of the injuries are minor.

For the Raiders, cornerback Chimdi Chekwa has been declared out for the game as well. T.J. Carrie, a rookie, will take Chekwa’s place as the nickel cornerback. Nick Roach is listed as questionable due to a concussion. He was a limited participant in practice, and it’s unclear where he’s at in the concussion protocol.