Green Bay Packers: 5 Things to Know about the Raiders

Ahead of the Green Bay Packers matchup this Sunday with Oakland, here are five things you need to know about the Raiders.

This Sunday the Green Bay Packers will look to move to 6-1 on the season and remain alone at the top of the NFC North as the Oakland Raiders come to town. For a number of years now, the Raiders have been considered by many an easy win but that doesn’t appear to be the case this season.

Oakland has won two straight games over the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears and they are also coming off of their bye week so they’ve had some extra time to prepare for Green Bay. Led by Josh Jacobs, the Packers will have a tall task in slowing down the Raiders running game and with a beaten up receiving core, this is a game that could come down to the wire if Green Bay isn’t on their “A” game.

This week I’ve teamed up with Justin Fried of Golden Gate Sports where they cover anything and everything about the Bay Area sports teams, to help provide some insight into this Raiders team. As always, I’ve reciprocated and answered five of Justin’s questions as well, so be sure to check that out on their site.

What is your biggest concern about this Raiders team?

Justin: Honestly, my biggest concern with the team has just been consistency. At times, the Raiders have looked like one of the better teams in the AFC hanging tough both the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears away from home. But at other times, they’re giving up 28 points in a quarter to the Kansas City Chiefs or getting blown out by the Minnesota Vikings at home. It’s hard to say exactly the effort that this team is going to put out each week which is what makes this game hard to predict. Will they play as well as they have in recent weeks or will they revert back to their poor play from a few weeks ago?

What is the biggest difference between this year’s team and last year’s?

Justin: The biggest difference with this team in 2019 has been the much-improved state of the defense. While still not among the NFL’s best units, the defense has come a long way since last season due in no small part to the actual presence of a pass rush. Last season, the Raiders finished with just 12 sacks, less than half the total of the second-worst team in the NFL. And while nine sacks through five games isn’t anything special, it’s a far cry from last year’s abomination. That pass rush has helped the secondary out in turn along with a few offseason additions. The defense is now around league average and even boasts a top-10 run defense.

Who is a lesser-known player on offense and defense that could impact Sunday’s game?

Justin: While he’s becoming a bit more of a household name, tight end Darren Waller has emerged as one of the best playmakers in the AFC this year. Waller is third among AFC tight ends in receiving yards and second in the NFL in receptions at the position.  Make no mistake about it, Waller is the premier threat in the passing game in this offense and has been playing like one of the team’s best players.

On defense, a player who’s flown under the radar has been defensive end Benson Mayowa. Mayowa currently leads the team with 4.5 sacks in only four games and has outplayed both rookies, Clelin Ferrell and Maxx Crosby. As a 28-year-old journeyman, Mayowa may not be known by the majority of the NFL, but he’s certainly made his presence felt on the Raiders defense this year.

What is the best aspect of this 2019 Raiders team?

Justin: The Raiders have endeared themselves to their fanbase for years because of their no-nonsense, physical style of play. But this season, something different has made them so admirable. The Raiders have become the underdogs. This team has embraced the adversity that has been thrown their way as a result of outside distractions.

First, there was the entire drama following the Antonio Brown fiasco. Oakland responded by securing a statement victory over the Denver Broncos in Week 1. And following Vontaze Burfict’s suspension, the Raiders went on the defeat both the Colts and Bears away from the Bay Area. They ave embraced being the underdogs and while detractors await eagerly for the team to collapse under the weight of adversity, the Raiders continue to block out the distractions and just play football. That, in and of itself, is pretty admirable.

What are one or two keys to a Raiders win on Sunday?

Justin: If the Raiders are going to find success against the Packers, they’re going to have to get off to a fast start. Coming off a bye week, the Raiders could ill-afford a slow start as they look to quiet the crowd in Lambeau Field. A quick three-and-out or a Green Bay Packers’ touchdown on their first possession could spell disaster for the Raiders.

From a schematic standpoint, if the Raiders are going to have any success throwing the football to their wide receivers, they must know who to target. Jaire Alexander remains one of the most underrated cornerbacks in football but his fellow starter Kevin King could be susceptible. King has been battling knee and groin injuries which means that we could see players like Keelan Doss or even the newly-acquired Zay Jones make an impact on Sunday.