Oakland Raiders: 5 matchups to watch vs. Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16
By John Buhler
Michael Crabtree vs. Ronald Darby
This one could get interesting. We all know the emotional playing style that comes with the Raiders’ Michael Crabtree. With Amari Cooper‘s health in question because of a bum ankle, it may again be Crabtree as the Raiders’ No. 1 receiving target in this ball game. He’ll have to deal with one of the better defensive backs in Philadelphia in Ronald Darby.
Darby is a newcomer this season to the Eagles. He was traded from the team that drafted him in the Buffalo Bills for possession receiver Jordan Matthews. Darby is immensely talented, but does let his emotions get the best of him from time to time, kind of like Crabtree. No, this will not be a Crabtree vs. Aqib Talib fight, but this matchup could get chippy.
Sure, that will be a reason to watch these two go at it, but it’s overall skill level that has our intrigue the most. Crabtree has been the Raiders’ best receiver all season, even in a down-year for passing numbers across the board in Oakland. Darby has a knack for finding the football on the outside. A Crabtree touchdown and a Darby pick are totally in play for this game.
Frankly, this matchup could decide the Week 16 Christmas night affair in Philadelphia. If Darby can neutralize Crabtree, Philadelphia improves to 13-2 easily. Should Crabtree find pay dirt twice, it might be a closer ball game than the Eagles would have expected. Look for both Crabtree and Darby to play well under the bright lights of Lincoln Financial Field this Christmas.