Oakland Raiders: 5 players to watch vs. New York Giants
By John Buhler
Jared Cook. 4. player. 28. . Tight End. South Carolina Gamecocks
A big challenge for the Raiders in Week 13 will be in figuring out what to do in the passing game. Wide receiver Michael Crabtree has been suspended for two games for fighting Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib on Sunday. He will appeal the suspension, but there’s almost no chance he’ll play versus the Giants this week or the Kansas City Chiefs next week.
Add in that No. 1 wide receiver Amari Cooper is dealing with multiple injuries after last week’s game (concussion and ankle), Oakland might be down to its No. 3 option at wide receiver. Cordarrelle Patterson and Seth Roberts have been inconsistent all year, while Johnny Holton has really only been a good gadget player.
The guy that Derek Carr will want to force feed the ball to would be his security blanket in Jared Cook. While he was not a factor in Sunday’s win versus the Broncos, this could be a monster fantasy day for Cook in the Oakland receiving corps. He will be Carr’s No. 1 receiving option and he’ll be going against a normally bad Giants linebacking corps.
Cook will be a mismatch in the receiving game, as he usually is with his size and speed combination. It wouldn’t be shocking to see him approach 100 yards receiving and haul in a touchdown grab in a huge day for him in Oakland.