Raiders Stick With Kirk Cousins, Keep Fernando Mendoza Waiting, and the Jets Line Is Tight
Raiders coach Klint Kubiak says Kirk Cousins stays at QB1 through a four-game skid. What it means for Mendoza and the Jets line at 1.5 points.
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Key takeaways
- Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said there is no quarterback controversy and Kirk Cousins remains QB1 after four straight losses, per ESPN.
- Las Vegas has allowed 35.8 points per game since Week 4 and ranks 31st in rushing yards per game at 74.7, ESPN reported.
- DraftKings has the Jets favored by 1.5 with the total up from 41.5 to 45.5, per ESPN's odds feed as of October 30 at 9:02 AM ET.
- ESPN's reporter wrote that Mendoza starting after the bye week is the best-case scenario, depending on what happens against New York.
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Raiders Keep Kirk Cousins at Quarterback Despite a Four-Game Losing Streak
Las Vegas coach Klint Kubiak said Monday there is no quarterback controversy and Kirk Cousins remains the starter, even though the Raiders are 3-4 after four straight losses, according to ESPN's Raiders reporter Ryan McFadden. Rookie Fernando Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, has played one snap series so far, going 6 of 8 for 48 yards against New England.
We're prioritizing winning the next game.
ESPN reported that Cousins leads the league in touchdown passes with 16 and is third in passing yards at 1,877. The problems sit elsewhere: the Raiders rank 31st in rushing yards per game (74.7), the defense has allowed 164 rushing yards per game and 35.8 points per game since Week 4, and the Rams blitzed Cousins on 40.9% of first-half dropbacks in last week's 35-21 loss. Kubiak said Mendoza will eventually play but gave no timeline.
Raiders at Jets Odds: What the Market Did
The spread has not moved, but the total has jumped. DraftKings lists the Jets as 1.5-point home favorites, and the total has climbed four points since the open, per ESPN's odds feed as of October 30 at 9:02 AM ET. Kickoff is Sunday at 1 PM ET on Fox.
| Market | Opening | Current | Move |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spread | New York -1.5 | New York -1.5 | No change |
| Jets moneyline | -125 | -122 | Slightly shorter |
| Raiders moneyline | +105 | +102 | Slightly shorter |
| Total | 41.5 | 45.5 | Up 4 |
The feed does not say why a line moved, so everything after this table is our reading and not a reported cause.
Our Read: Why Cousins Staying Put Is Less Simple Than It Sounds
This is our reading of the facts above, not a reported cause.
- The numbers defend Cousins. First in touchdown passes and 12th in passer rating (97.4) do not describe the problem. The losses look like a team that cannot run or stop the run.
- A higher total fits a leaky defense. A four-point rise is large for a total. It is consistent with the market pricing Las Vegas to give up points, though the feed does not confirm that.
- A new quarterback would not fix the run game. Mendoza's legs and arm help against pressure, but ESPN's own point is that the line and defense stay the same. Habit and personnel are doing more damage than the passer.
- The evidence points both ways on timing. A loss to a 2-5 Jets team would make the Mendoza question loud. A win puts Las Vegas back at .500 and lets Kubiak keep the plan he already has.
A near pick'em spread says the market sees these teams as close, which fits two sides that each have clear holes.
What to Watch Before Sunday
- Whether the Raiders' run game gets above 74.7 yards, their season average, against New York.
- How often New York blitzes Cousins, given the Rams and Patriots blueprint ESPN described.
- Whether the 1.5-point spread holds or the total keeps rising before kickoff.
- Any change to Kubiak's language on Mendoza after the game, especially with the bye week next.
See how NFL moneylines convert to implied win chances
Odds describe a price and not an outcome. Set a limit before you bet, and bet only where it is legal.
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