The Las Vegas Raiders are looking to avoid an 0-2 start after dropping a brutal opening game of the season to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Arizona Cardinals are in the same boat after getting blown out the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1, yet face another AFC West opponent — this time on the road.
Kyler Murray and the Cardinals fell behind by 30 last week, getting outplayed from the opening snap against Kansas City. Arizona is 4-9 when Murray throws for 200 or fewer yards, making a fast start even more paramount for the Cardinals against a Raiders pass rush that features Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby. Jones is facing his former team for the first time as he’s arguably the best pass rusher in franchise history, leading the Cardinals in sacks (10.5).
Derek Carr was sacked five times in the loss to the Chargers, the most he’s been sacked in a game since 2018. Carr will have his opportunities against a blitzing Arizona defense this week, as the Cardinals were one of just three teams to play more than 40% man defense in Week 1. Carr will look to distribute the football to more players than Adams, who had 10 of the 22 receptions by the pass catchers last week (the Raiders pass catchers were targeted 34 times).
This matchup will be an intriguing one as both teams are looking to avoid the dreaded 0-2 start. For all the analysis and real-time breakdowns of this Week 2 showdown, stay pinned to the live blog below!
How to watch
Date: Sunday, Sept. 28 | Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas, Nevada)
TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+
Follow: CBS Sports App
Odds: Raiders -5.5; O/U 51.5 (Odds by Caesars Sportsbook)