Oakland Raiders: 5 matchups to watch vs. New England Patriots
By John Buhler
![OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 19: NaVorro Bowman No. 53 of the Oakland Raiders warms up prior to their game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 19, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 19: NaVorro Bowman No. 53 of the Oakland Raiders warms up prior to their game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 19, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjustblogbaby-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F10-2F863220108-kansas-city-chiefs-vs-oakland-raiders-jpg-850x560-4815081d14e4f1d98a2941ae37fe752ba76adbd3738a2409f0b2547385dd4bfd.jpg)
NaVorro Bowman vs. Tom Brady
This matchup would have been amazing in 2013, but it’s still noteworthy in 2017. We’ve got a four-time All-Pro going up against the best quarterback of all-time. NaVorro Bowman versus Tom Brady, let’s enjoy this one.
More from Just Blog Baby
- Raiders news: Free agent TE Foster Moreau diagnosed with cancer
- Order your Jimmy Garoppolo Las Vegas Raiders gear now
- Las Vegas Raiders: 2023 NFL Draft will make-or-break David Ziegler Era
- Raiders news: Jimmy Garoppolo offered a different kind of deal
- Raiders 2023 NFL Draft: Trading down for an elite DT on Day 1
Bowman is not as unbelievable of a middle linebacker with the Raiders as he previously was with the San Francisco 49ers. That being said, he has been an outstanding addition to the lackluster Raiders defense mid-season. He’s essentially the on-field coach Oakland has craved at middle linebacker for some time.
Then there’s Brady, who is beating the snot out of Father Time. The guy is probably your NFL MVP. If he wants to play until he’s 45 years of age, he’s probably going to play until he’s 45 years of age. Regardless of your opinion on the guy, Brady is just better at playing quarterback than anybody who has ever done it.
Next: 5 Raiders to watch vs. Patriots
Intellectually, it will be cool to see Bowman attempt to play chess with Brady. The only problem is that Father Time has caught up to Bowman and Brady is as youthful as he was. If Bowman gets the best of Brady on a few plays, the Oakland has a shot at pulling off the upset.