Giants-Raiders predictions: Giants could win, but does BBV staff believe they will?

Do you Big Blue View contributors think the New York Giants will defeat the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday? Here are this week’s predictions.

Chris Pflum

“This is another game that could go either way. The Raiders are playing very well at the moment and they look to get Darren Waller back from injury, which is an obvious point in their favor. However, they’re a team with weaknesses and they’ve taken some heavy off-field blows between the Jon Gruden and Henry Ruggs situations. Of course, the Giants are still beat up personnel wise and undisciplined. They can’t count on opponents playing down to their level and keeping them in the game every week.”

Joseph Czikk

“While it was a pleasant surprise to see the Giants fight tooth and nail Monday night against the Chiefs, I’m just not confident we’re going to see that same type of fight every week. I don’t doubt the Giants can stick in a game but the Chiefs game showed us that when you put the ball in Daniel Jones’ hands with the game on the line, it’s probably not gonna happen. The proof was right there. This week could be another one of those deflating weeks if the Raiders come to town and start scoring early. I’m taking Las Vegas to drop Big Blue to 2-7.”

Emily Iannaconi

“It it still unclear just good this Raiders team really is. They lead the AFC West with a 5-2 record but a closer look at some of their wins and losses suggests that the record might not be telling the full story ... Following a week of drama surrounding WR Henry Ruggs III, perhaps the Raiders will be distracted and the Giants do have home field advantage. This is a winnable game for New York. That does not mean the Giants will, in fact, win it but they can and should against an unproven and vulnerable Raiders team.”

Jeremy Portnoy

“Las Vegas has navigated an already tumultuous season to a 5-2 record, but Henry Ruggs’ DUI and subsequent release has to have weakened their mental fortitude at least a bit. As is often the case with the Raiders, their strong start is a bit misleading. They haven’t beaten a team that’s currently above .500 since Week 2. The Giants, on the other hand, held a fourth-quarter lead against the Chiefs last Monday. That’s impressive, sluggish offense and faulty headsets be damned. Joe Judge still has this team playing with fire, and they’re due for a win.”

Valentine’s View

“The Giants could win this game, I don’t doubt that at all. The Raiders are 5-2, but not a juggernaut. They have preyed upon bad teams — like the Giants. I can’t pick the Giants, though. They haven’t earned the faith. Las Vegas is coming off a bye, and the Giants played Monday night. Advantage, Raiders.”