Oakland Raiders: 5 matchups to watch vs. Miami Dolphins

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OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 19: Amari Cooper No. 89 of the Oakland Raiders runs after a catch against the Kansas City Chiefs during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 19, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Amari Cooper vs. Cordrea Tankersley

The best thing that could happen for Raiders starting quarterback Derek Carr is if he can go to his No. 1 wide receiver Amari Cooper early and often. Oakland’s pathway to victory is to decimate the Miami secondary like it did against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football two weeks ago.

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No, the Raiders don’t need a 200-yard performance out of Cooper to beat Miami on the road. However, he will have to make the most of his favorable matchup in rookie cornerback Cordrea Tankersley. Tankersley played his college ball for ACC power Clemson, but fell to the Dolphins near the end of the third round.

For Cooper, this will be a homecoming of sorts. He grew up in South Florida before playing his college ball at Alabama in Tuscaloosa. A favorable matchup and probably playing in front of a lot of family and friends could have him amped up for a huge game on Sunday night.

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Improving to 4-5 would be a great, and probably necessary, start for the Raiders in their second half of the season. If Cooper can play up to his abilities, Oakland could rout the Dolphins like the Baltimore Ravens did on Thursday Night Football in Week 8.

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