Keys to Victory: Oakland Raiders vs. Carolina Panthers

Nov 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) flips the ball after a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) flips the ball after a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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The Oakland Raiders are back stateside for a Sunday afternoon contest against the Carolina Panthers. Here are three keys to victory.

Whew that was a close one. It wasn’t pretty but the OAKLAND RAIDERS are 8-2 and in first place of the AFC West!

Here are some keys for the Raiders to go 9-2.

Nov 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) flips the ball after a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) flips the ball after a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Limit Greg Olsen

This has to be the first key to victory because the Raiders defense is still having a problem with tight ends. It doesn’t have to be a big name at the position, either — no name guys are tearing up this defense and it has to stop.

Greg Olsen is one of the premiere guys at his position and happens to be the favorite target of Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. The Raiders will be seeing a lot of Olsen this week, which is a bad recipe for the Oakland defense.

Olsen leads the league at the position with 746 yards, and he also has 3 touchdowns. Olsen is also a playmaker, with 9 receptions for 20+ yards. He’ll be a great fantasy option this week.

Oakland of course understands that Olsen is the top threat in the Carolina passing game and will probably key on him a lot. The focus on Olsen will help others get open, so the Raiders need to be weary of Carolina going over the top with the speed of Ted Ginn Jr.

While I want the Raiders to completely stop Olsen, they can only limit him to give them a chance at another win.

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