Preview and Prediction: Oakland Raiders at Baltimore Ravens
By Austin Gayle
![Sep 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) catches a touchdown pass in front of Baltimore Ravens strong safety Will Hill (33) in the third quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Ravens 37-33. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports Sep 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) catches a touchdown pass in front of Baltimore Ravens strong safety Will Hill (33) in the third quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Ravens 37-33. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjustblogbaby-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F10-2F8816022-will-hill-michael-crabtree-nfl-baltimore-ravens-oakland-raiders-850x560-c37a14f4d73dddd50b6d5ab601cd020a8df8c96feb6b49eb93a38eb512bef401.jpg)
A Healthy Dennis Pitta Will Cause Matchup Problems
Without Delanie Walker in the lineup last week, the Raiders lucked out in their matchup against Tennessee, as the Titans’ backup tight end Jace Amaro had just three receptions for 59 yards.
Raiders defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. won’t be so lucky in Baltimore.
Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta, a 2010 fourth-round pick out of BYU, has struggled with injuries throughout his entire career, and that is an understatement. However, he has proven healthy through three games this season, and Pitta has never looked better.
In three starts, Pitta has brought in 18 of 24 targets for 183 yards, now leading the team in both receptions and receiving yards.
In the few years he has been healthy, Pitta has been veteran quarterback Joe Flacco’s favorite target, for as much as the Flacco loves to heave the ball deep, the former Delaware product is most comfortable with a healthy, productive security blanket like Pitta.
With rookies Karl Joseph (safety) and Cory James (inside linebacker) expected to earn their second career start for the Raiders, their performance hangs on whether or not Pitta takes over on Sunday.