The Seattle Seahawks bring the stingier defense to Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, and it is aimed squarely at the Las Vegas Raiders' passing game. Seattle plays without quarterback Sam Darnold, who is out with a quadriceps injury, and is still a 6.5-point road favorite. Kickoff is 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS.

The Matchup

Records: Seattle Seahawks 5-4 (1-2 road), Las Vegas Raiders 4-5 (1-3 home)
Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV (indoor)
Kickoff: Sunday, November 15, 4:05 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Line (DraftKings): SEA -6.5, O/U 40.5

Seattle Seahawks at Las Vegas Raiders tickets
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What Decides It

Seattle's pass defense against the Raiders' air attack is the matchup that should decide it.

Las Vegas throws for nearly 267 yards a game. Seattle allows about 169 through the air, a 98-yard gap between what the Raiders usually get and what this defense usually gives up.

The Raiders cannot easily shift the load to the ground. They run for about 71 yards a game, and Seattle allows about 89, so there is no soft spot to lean on. If Seattle holds the passing game near its usual number, Las Vegas has few other ways to move the ball.

Seattle should run the ball, even with a patched-up line.

Las Vegas gives up about 151 rushing yards a game, well above the 111 Seattle averages. Emanuel Wilson has 403 yards and 3 touchdowns, and this is the week to lean on him.

Seattle will do it without guard Quenton Nelson and tackle Charles Cross, both out. The Raiders' front is thin too: defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV is questionable, and defensive ends Patrick Johnson and Keyron Crawford are on injured reserve. With Darnold out, a steady run game also takes pressure off Drew Lock.

Home field has done nothing for Las Vegas.

The Raiders are 1-3 at Allegiant Stadium and 3-2 on the road. Their two most recent home games were both losses, 35-21 and 33-30, with the defense giving up 30 or more each time.

Seattle has not traveled well either, at 1-2 away from home, including a 17-14 overtime loss on the road. But the Seahawks allow 18 points a game, while the Raiders allow nearly 30, and that defensive gap matters more than either team's road record.

Players to Watch

Seattle Seahawks

Passing: Drew Lock – 54-76, 597 YDS, 5 TD
Rushing: Emanuel Wilson – 111 ATT, 403 YDS, 3 TD
Receiving: Jaxon Smith-Njigba – 71 REC, 1,036 YDS, 9 TD

Smith-Njigba is the reason Lock can survive in this spot. He has 9 touchdowns and is the one Seattle receiver the Raiders must account for on every snap.

Las Vegas Raiders

Passing: Fernando Mendoza – 6-8, 48 YDS
Rushing: Ashton Jeanty – 114 ATT, 362 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving: Brock Bowers – 48 REC, 658 YDS, 6 TD

Bowers is the Raiders' answer to Seattle's pass defense. Receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. is questionable, which could push even more of the passing game his way.

Injury Report

Seattle Seahawks: QB Sam Darnold – Out (quadriceps); G Quenton Nelson – Out (knee); OT Charles Cross – Out (ankle); DT Leonard Williams – Out (shoulder); TE Elijah Arroyo – Injured Reserve (shoulder)
Las Vegas Raiders: DT Thomas Booker IV – Questionable (ankle); WR Dont'e Thornton Jr. – Questionable (back); DE Patrick Johnson – Injured Reserve (neck); DE Keyron Crawford – Injured Reserve (ankle); CB Chigozie Anusiem – Injured Reserve (knee)

Prediction

Seattle's defense allows 18 points a game and should take the edge off a Raiders passing game that throws for nearly 267 yards. Wilson against a run defense allowing about 151 yards a game gives Lock the support he needs, and Las Vegas has won once at home. Seahawks 24, Raiders 17.