The key to beating the Colts is very simple; stop Jonathan Taylor. However, that is easier said than done. The former second-round pick from Wisconsin has already rushed for 1,626 yards and 17 touchdowns this season as he is far and away the league’s leading rusher.
But the Raiders have a talented running back too in Josh Jacobs, who had a monster game in Week 16. In order for the Raiders to win this game, they are going to need Jacobs to match or even better, outproduce Taylor in Week 17.
In a recent article by ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez, he made the bold prediction that Jacobs would outproduce Taylor in Week 17. Here is his reasoning for such a bold prediction:
“Raiders running back Josh Jacobs will have more yards from scrimmage than Taylor. Hey, you wanted bold, right? While Jacobs seemed to finally find a groove in rushing for a career high-tying 129 yards against Denver last week, with the reimagined O-line finally finding its identity, the Raiders’ defense swallowed up the Broncos’ rushing attack.
And with a rookie in Sam Ehlinger potentially starting at QB for Indianapolis, that might make the Colts too one-dimensional. Again, you said bold.”
If Carson Wentz is out for this game, the Raiders should have an easier time stopping the run as they can load the box without fear of being beat deep. If the Raiders can contain Taylor at all in this game, they will have a shot to win. Otherwise, this will be the fourth-straight season in which the Raiders will have missed the playoffs.
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