Oakland Raiders vs. Baltimore Ravens: 5 matchups to watch
By John Buhler
If Oakland wants to win at home, running back Marshawn Lynch will need to have a good game. The Raiders running game has largely disappeared in the last two weeks. That has had a direct correlation to the Raiders falling to 2-2.
One guy that the Raiders will have to be wary of when trying to pound the rock is linebacker C.J. Mosley. Mosley has emerged as the next great defensive player for Baltimore. This is a franchise built on a defensive identity. The sound players on that side of the ball just keep coming.
The ground game is massively important for the Raiders because it will hopefully make things easier for new starting quarterback EJ Manuel. While Manuel has shown that he can make all the throws required in the Raiders offense, he is an inconsistent passer. There will be stretches we he struggles to make even one completion.
Oakland has the defense to keep them in games. The backup quarterback knows what is expected of him. It’s up to the Raiders’ revamped rushing attack to take charge and get a much-needed win in Week 5 over the Ravens. That starts with Lynch and the rest will follow.