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5 reasons Oakland Raiders will beat Miami Dolphins

By John Buhler

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 18: Bruce Irvin No. 51 of the Oakland Raiders reacts to sacking Quarterback Philip Rivers No. 17 of the San Diego Chargers late in the fourth quarter en route to the Raiders 19-16 win over Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 18, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 18: Bruce Irvin No. 51 of the Oakland Raiders reacts to sacking Quarterback Philip Rivers No. 17 of the San Diego Chargers late in the fourth quarter en route to the Raiders 19-16 win over Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 18, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 19: Amari Cooper No. 89 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates with Jared Cook No. 87 after a touchdown 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)
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 19: Amari Cooper No. 89 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates with Jared Cook No. 87 after a touchdown 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) /

Oakland will have mismatches in receiving game

Perhaps the best thing the Raiders have going for them are a few mismatches in the receiving game. Oakland is at its best offensively when it can use the play-action pass to allow Derek Carr to stretch the field for a big splash play.

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Though the Raiders haven’t won a lot this season, Carr has been solid with his accuracy. However, the deep targets downfield haven’t really been there. Look for this to be different on Sunday night. The reason for this is Amari Cooper has a huge mismatch on the outside against rookie cornerback Cordrea Tankersley.

Cooper is a two-time Pro Bowler, while Tankersley is a third-round rookie out of Clemson. We might see Cooper have a 100-yard receiving game against this Miami secondary. Another mismatch will need to watch is tight end Jared Cook on linebacker Lawrence Timmons.

Next: Raiders: 5 keys to victory over Dolphins

Cook is a mismatch most weeks due to his combination of size and speed. Though Timmons has been a good player, he’s not the most disciplined of linebackers. Oakland can devise passing concepts to exploit the aging veteran linebacker on Sunday night.

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