Raiders, Jets Meet Sunday With Coaches Facing Questions

The Las Vegas Raiders travel to MetLife Stadium on Sunday to face the New York Jets, with both teams trying to stop losing skids. Las Vegas is 3-4 after dropping four straight since opening 3-0. New York is 2-5 and has lost two in a row, including a 28-25 home loss to Miami on Oct. 25.

Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said rookie Fernando Mendoza will not take over at quarterback. Mendoza was the No. 1 overall pick in April. Kirk Cousins, 38, remains the starter. Cousins leads the NFL with 16 touchdown passes. "There is no controversy," Kubiak said. "I've seen the production. The production's there. But it's a team game, so we've got to produce together in order to win football games."

The Raiders opened the season with three wins before the current four-game slide. Las Vegas lost 35-21 to the Rams on Oct. 25. The Jets' loss to Miami came a day earlier, on Oct. 25, at home.

New York coach Aaron Glenn is 5-19 with the team. Center Josh Myers said Wednesday he still backs Glenn. "I've been around a lot of good coaches and a lot of good leaders and I've said it a lot, I think A.G. is one of the best I've ever been around," Myers said. "I still believe that and I'll continue believing that."

Quarterback Geno Smith returns to face his old team. Smith started for Las Vegas last season, when he threw 17 interceptions, a league high. The Jets acquired him in the offseason. This year he has 10 touchdown passes, two interceptions, 1,623 passing yards and a 70% completion rate.

The Jets rank 23rd in yards per game. The Las Vegas defense is tied for 29th in yards allowed. Las Vegas also ranks 30th against the run, giving up 143.6 yards per game, while averaging 74.7 yards rushing on offense, a figure ahead of only Green Bay at 59.9. New York allows 127.7 rushing yards per game and ranks 24th against the run.

Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby said Wednesday he likes where the team stands mentally. "Adversity reveals who you are," Crosby said. "You can't fall into the negativity. You've got to be positive, regardless of what the world wants you to feel like."

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, Oct. 1, at MetLife Stadium, with the game carried on Fox. The Jets are listed as 1 1/2-point favorites. The Raiders lead the series 27-20-2; the Jets won the last meeting 16-12 on Nov. 12, 2023, in Las Vegas.