Oakland Raiders: Ravens Gameplan

December 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Bills 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Deep Ball

Making the Ravens respect the running game would set up the deep ball, especially out of play action. Plus the Ravens secondary looked like they are very susceptible to the deep ball last Sunday. Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders consistently got behind Ravens defenders but Manning didn’t have a great day throwing the ball.

Quarterback Derek Carr showed his ability to throw a beautiful deep ball in the end of last season. And if he’s ever going to be consistent at it, he needs to take more shots down the field starting now. He has receivers like Amari Cooper and Rod Streater that have the speed to do so and Carr has the arm so they might as well do it.

Suggs’ abscence will also affect the Ravens pass rush so the Raiders should have time to throw deep. Elvis Dumervil could show he still has it but getting that running game going will slow the Ravens pass rush down plus the Raiders can chip him. A few deep balls can really stretch the defense to set Carr’s underneath game and the running game back up.

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