Raiders: 5 matchups to watch vs. Cowboys in Week 15

2 of 5

OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 15: Reggie Nelson No. 27, Dexter McDonald No. 23 and TJ Carrie No. 38 of the Oakland Raiders react after a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 15, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Don Feria/Getty Images) /

T.J. Carrie vs. Cole Beasley

The Raiders you must watch in this game is cornerback T.J. Carrie. He will have essentially the make or break game of the season in his contract year. The guy stands to make a ton of money in free agency, as he has been one of the better cover corners this season, especially in the slot.

Well, Carrie will have more than his work cut out for him in this one, as he will have to contain the shifty Cole Beasley in the slot. Yes, there will be times where Carrie will be asked to go outside the numbers and keep Dallas’ No. 1 targeted receiver Dez Bryant in check, but we all know that Beasley is Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott‘s favorite target.

Beasley may be small, but he is quick. He has great hands and always fights for the extra yard in the slot. Dallas makes great use of his skill set in the bubble screen game. This is a game where Carrie has to be on red alert. All it will take is one misread and Dallas could take a short pass from Prescott to the house.

Expect Beasley to be a volume receiver in this one. Not to say that he’ll have 10 receptions, but he could have that many targets for all we know. By having a great game against Beasley and the Cowboys, Carrie will emerge as one of the best free agent corners in 2018. He might prove to expensive to stay with the Raiders, but the Silver and Black could totally use him playing at a high level down the stretch in 2017.

Home/Las Vegas Raiders News