Oakland Raiders: 5 matchups to watch vs. New York Giants

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OAKLAND, CA – NOVEMBER 06: Rodney Hudson No. 61 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after a touchdown against the Denver Broncos at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 6, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Rodney Hudson vs. Damon Harrison

While Donald Penn versus Olivier Vernon will be a tremendous matchup in the pass rush, the one to watch in the run game would be the outstanding one we’re getting in Raiders center Rodney Hudson and Giants nose tackle Damon Harrison.

Hudson has been the most consistent offensive player for the Raiders this season. While his play has dipped ever so slightly in the last few weeks, Hudson is not allowing pressure through the middle of the Oakland pocket. Hudson has been key in the Raiders being able to emerge as a balanced offense with an improving run game in recent weeks as well.

Harrison doesn’t care anything about that. He is not just an outstanding space-eater in the middle of the Giants defensive line, but might be the best run defender of any nose tackle in football. It seems that he wasn’t just a one-year wonder with the 2016 Giants coming over from the Jets. The guy is an incredible ball player and might be the best defensive talent the Giants have to offer.

Though the Raiders have the better quarterback in this game, it won’t matter if Harrison keeps crashing the backfield party in Oakland. Hudson might have to play his best game of the season to contain Harrison. That will be tough sledding, but Hudson is one of the best centers in football.

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