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Oakland Raiders: 5 keys to upset of Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16

By John Buhler

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 17: Michael Crabtree No. 15 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after a two-yard touchdown catch against the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 17: Michael Crabtree No. 15 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after a two-yard touchdown catch against the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 4: Guard Vadal Alexander No. 74 of the Oakland Raiders and tackle Austin Howard No. 77 of the Oakland Raiders prepare for a snap against the Buffalo Bills on December 4, 2016 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders won 38-24. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 4: Guard Vadal Alexander No. 74 of the Oakland Raiders and tackle Austin Howard No. 77 of the Oakland Raiders prepare for a snap against the Buffalo Bills on December 4, 2016 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders won 38-24. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

Get serious push from the offensive line to lead the ground game charge.

The battles in the trenches on Monday night are going to be the best part of the game. We will have the Raiders offensive line versus the Eagles defensive line. When great competes with great, that’s really all you can ask for as a football fan.

Oakland sent three members of its offensive line to the Pro Bowl. Left guard Kelechi Osemele will start for the AFC. Center Rodney Hudson has been unbelievable this season in not allowing pressure. Though left tackle Donald Penn won’t play in the Pro Bowl, his technical approach out of the edge is respected by all those across the league.

As for the Eagles, they have dominating players all along their defensive line. Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox is an absolute wrecking ball. Timmy Jernigan has been excellent in his first year with the Eagles. Defensive end Brandon Graham is a monster coming off the edge. Vinny Curry would be some team’s best defensive line man. In Philadelphia, he’s fourth.

Overall, the Raiders will need Hudson and Osemele to compete hard against Cox and company on Monday night. By doing so, it will allow Pro Bowl alternate running back Marshawn Lynch opportunities to rack up yards in the ground game and maybe lead the Raiders to a shocking Christmas night victory over the Eagles.

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