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5 Oakland Raiders to watch vs. Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16

By John Buhler

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 08: Khalil Mack No. 52 of the Oakland Raiders lines up to rush the quarterback during their NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 08: Khalil Mack No. 52 of the Oakland Raiders lines up to rush the quarterback during their NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 10: Eric Decker No. 87 of the Tennessee Titans runs toward Karl Joseph No. 42 of the Oakland Raiders at Nissan Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 10: Eric Decker No. 87 of the Tennessee Titans runs toward Karl Joseph No. 42 of the Oakland Raiders at Nissan Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

28. . Safety. West Virginia Mountaineers. Karl Joseph. 3. player

Getting lost in the Raiders’ lost 2017 season has been the improving play of second-year safety Karl Joseph. Oakland used its first round pick on the guy out of West Virginia in the 2016 NFL Draft. Known for his hard-hitting approach to playing safety, Joseph has progressed in coverage under defensive coordinator John Pagano’s tutelage.

Though interceptions have been at a premium for this Raiders’ defense, Joseph is a beacon of hope that things will eventually get better in the back-end. Joseph’s increased versatility at safety could have him in the Pro Bowl in the coming years. His next big opportunity will be against Philadelphia.

The Eagles will like to sling the pigskin, even with Foles in at quarterback. Expect it to be a cold night in Philadelphia on Monday night. The ball might sail on Foles a few times, so perhaps Joseph could be there to haul in an errant pass to take it the other way.

Simply put, the Raiders will not play a team as talented as the Eagles for quite some time. The only team Oakland has played that is on par with the Eagles would be the New England Patriots. If Oakland wants any chance at an upset against the Eagles on Christmas night, Joseph will have to do his best to limit the Eagles’ overall effectiveness in the passing game.

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