Week Two Preview: Ravens At Raiders
Week one for the Oakland Raiders was a massive disappointment, but this week's game against the Baltimore Ravens could be a good chance for the team to bounce back.
The Raiders were outscored 33-0 through three quarters of last weeks game before losing to the Cincinnati Bengals 33-13.
Not only did the defense look week and outmatched at all points of the game, but the offense couldn't get rolling until garbage time in the fourth quarter.
It didn't help that starting quarterback Derek Carr was taken out in the second quarter due to a hand injury.
Although Carr didn't make it through the first half of the game, he is listed as probable to start this Sunday against Baltimore.
The Ravens are also coming off of a loss to the Denver Broncos in week one.
The team didn't just lose the game, but they also lost its best defensive player, Terrell Suggs, for the rest of the year because of a torn achilles.
Baltimore only gained a total of 173 yards with just 117 of those yards through the air.
Ravens' quarterback Joe Flacco looked unimpressive while throwing two interceptions and no touchdowns.
Oakland will have a much easier time against Baltimore's offense than they did against Cincinnati.
Justin Forsett will be a tough match-up for the Raiders, but the lack of a pass offense for the Ravens will allow Oakland to focus on the running back.
As for the Raiders offense, it will continue to be a struggle for the team to score points if they can't develop a run game. A lot of weight has been put on the shoulders of starter Latavius Murray.
He gained just 44 yards on the ground last week. If the Raiders can improve the run game, the rest of the offense will open up.
Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree are good receivers who didn't have much of a chance last week. The two combined for just 84 yards on 10 receptions.
Look for the two receivers to get more targets in week two.
Prediction:
Head coach Jack Del Rio will have his team ready for some redemption after last weeks blow-out loss and play well against the heavily favored Ravens.
It will be an ugly and hard fought battle with a lot of field goals.
Ravens' kicker Justin Tucker and Raiders' kicker Sebastian Janikowski will be the stars of this game.
Oakland will "out-field-goal" Baltimore and win 22-19.
