Oakland Raiders: 5 matchups to watch vs. Miami Dolphins

The Oakland Raiders will play the Miami Dolphins on Sunday Night Football this week. Here are five man-on-man matchups to watch in this primetime game.

Though the rest of the country may not have a ton of interest in this game, it is certainly a huge one between the Oakland Raiders and the Miami Dolphins on Sunday Night Football this week. Neither team is playing well at the halfway point. Miami is struggling mightily on offense and Oakland is having all sorts of issues.

While Miami is 4-3 on the season, in a way, this feels like a bit of a cross-off game for the loser of this nationally televised primetime game. Oakland probably needs it more than Miami, as the Raiders are 3-5 on the year through eight games. However, the national perception of the loser on Sunday night will be incredibly difficult to shake.

The winner of Sunday Night Football could use this newfound momentum to take charge of its second half. Oakland plays a tough schedule in the back half of the year, but should understand the difficult road that is ahead of them.

Going just 5-3 in the second half would be a great way to semi-salvage the Raiders’ rough start. 8-8, or perhaps even better, is still on the table for the Silver and Black. Let’s take a few minutes to look at some of the best man-on-man matchups to be had in this must-win game for both teams on Sunday night between the Raiders and the Dolphins.

Jared Cook vs. Lawrence Timmons

When Oakland is at its best offensively, the Raiders should be able to get the tight ends involved in the passing game. That was at least the initial plan to start the season for new Oakland offensive coordinator Todd Downing. Getting the tight ends involved with great regularity has been challenging, but Jared Cook has certainly shown up in big moments for the Raiders this season.

Miami has its issues in the back-seven of its defense. With Cook’s speed and size, he could be a huge mismatch for the Miami defense to cover. The one guy that might be asked to contain him in the passing game could be outside linebacker Lawrence Timmons.

Miami could put middle linebacker Kiko Alonso on Cook at times, but simplifying the game plan is the best way for the Dolphins to get the most out of Timmons. On a pass play, he could be in charge of tracking Cook. If Cook isn’t out there for a particular play, who knows?

This matchup between Cook and Timmons features two of the most talented, but frustrating players in football. Cook should be a complete mismatch in the passing game, but disappears at times due to inconsistent route-running and poor quarterback play. Timmons is a seasoned veteran, but not an overly cerebral player. He plays his best when he doesn’t have to think. Just not a green dot guy at all.