Detroit Lions at Oakland Raiders: 3 things to watch in Week 9

Early lead or slow start?

Jon Gruden has shown his expertise for scripting the beginning of games week in and week out. In three of their last four outings, the Raiders have managed to not only take the lead to start the first quarter but have done so by way of finding the endzone. Last week, it was a highlight play that saw Hunter Renfrow break a tackle for a 65-yard touchdown.

Will that same early success transfer over against the Lions? Many would assume finally being back home would give the Raiders an advantage, but in many instances playing desperate on the road gives this team the edge. They very well could stall early on if they don’t capitalize at the onset.

Oakland cannot afford to allow Matthew Stafford early chances to attack the Raiders every rotating secondary, especially with a pass rush still in flux. Oakland is most lethal when they jump out early and don’t look back, something to watch for on Sunday.