Raiders: 5 matchups to watch vs. Cowboys in Week 15
By John Buhler
![OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Derek Carr No. 4 of the Oakland Raidersshakes hands with Marshawn Lynch No. 24 after a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 26, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Derek Carr No. 4 of the Oakland Raidersshakes hands with Marshawn Lynch No. 24 after a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 26, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/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-2F2017-2F12-2F879833906-denver-broncos-vs-oakland-raiders-jpg-850x560-14c6c85f51698e61bea303e81036e6645a264f9ef4ecac4aa469ba76a4f439b0.jpg)
Marshawn Lynch vs. Sean Lee
If this matchup doesn’t get you excited for Sunday, I’m not sure what will. For the Raiders, we’ve got veteran Marshawn Lynch wanting to go Beast Mode in front of the home crowd one more time. With Dallas, the guy trying to stop Lynch will be one of the best inside linebackers in the sport in Sean Lee.
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What a matchup this is! Lynch has dipped his toes into the fountain of youth the last several weeks. It has proven to be wonderful for the Oakland offense, as long as he gets more than seven carries in a game. Come on, Todd Downing! Lee is tremendously injury-prone, but he is an elite player for the Cowboys when on the field.
This man-on-man matchup is simply great on great. You can’t ask for a better matchup. Lynch and Lee have been multi-time Pro Bowlers in their NFL careers. In all likelihood, they belong in the Hall of Very Good, just shy of Canton, but don’t try to tell either guy that. These are two of the most physical players in the NFL today. It will be fantastic to see them run into each other on Sunday night.
Next: 5 Raiders to watch vs. Cowboys in Week 15
If Oakland can’t run the football, that puts too much pressure on Derek Carr to make a bunch of throws. The Raiders don’t have anything close to four-quarter defense. Should Dallas be unable to contain Lynch, then the Raiders’ path to victory becomes much clearer. You have to believe that the team that wins time of possession in addition to turnover differential will win this ball game going away.