T.J. Carrie vs. Danny Amendola
This matchup is both underrated and fantastic. It probably tells you the tale of the game more than anything. Who gets the best between these two in Raiders cornerback T.J. Carrie and Patriots slot receiver Danny Amendola?
Carrie has been playing very well in the midst of a bad defensive season for the Raiders. He has been excellent in pass coverage and will be paid handsomely in free agent. Carrie is shining in a contract year by taking away the opposition’s slot receiving options throughout the season.
Though Amendola isn’t as good of a slot receiver as the guy he is replacing in the injured Julian Edelman, Amendola is still a top-10 slot receiver in football. Even with the best slot receiver in football out in Edelman, the Patriots’ passing game isn’t skipping a beat with Amendola now a more important piece in it.
If Tom Brady can find Amendola at will, the New England will shamelessly rout Oakland out of the playoff picture. Should Carrie be able to minimize Amendola’s effectiveness as a receiver, then the Raiders have a shot at the neutral-site upset over the Patriots.