Raiders at Titans 2022 Week 3: Key matchups to watch
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders take on the Tennessee Titans in Week 3, and here are some key matchups to keep an eye on.
The 2022 NFL season is well underway, and through the first two weeks, the Las Vegas Raiders are still looking for their first victory. The Silver and Black lost on the road to the Los Angeles Chargers, and then blew a huge lead at home against Arizona, so they will now hit the road to Music City with an 0-2.
Luckily for them, their opponent, the Tennessee Titans, are also sitting with an 0-2 record, and they have looked terrible doing so. Both teams are dealing with a host of injuries, making this one a very intriguing matchup between two teams fighting for their playoff lives already.
Here are some key matchups that could decide the outcome.
Raiders at Titans 2022 Week 3: Key matchups to watch
Maxx Crosby vs Dennis Daley
The Tennessee Titans will be without starting left tackle Taylor Lewan in this matchup, which means Dennis Daley will get the start. Unfortunately for Daley, Maxx Crosby is looking to eat on Sunday, this after getting so many quarterback pressures through two weeks, and only one sack to his name.
Crosby is one of the elite edge rushers in the NFL, and going up against Daley, he could be in for one of his best seasons as a pro.
Davante Adams vs Kevin Byard
Davante Adams did not have the same kind of impact in Week 2 as he had in Week 1, as the Raiders tried to mix in other options in the passing game. That cannot be the case in Week 3, as Adams has to be the focal point of the offense, especially with Josh Jacobs and Hunter Renfrow out.
Tennessee has some solid talent in their defensive backfield, but were shredded by Stefon Diggs this past Monday night, and Adams could have the same kind of monster game in this one.
Derrick Henry vs Raiders Front 7
The Tennessee Titans boast one of the best running backs in the NFL in Derrick Henry, who will be a much bigger test than Austin Ekeler and James Conner were the first two weeks of the season. He has the ability to run over, or around the defense, making this the biggest game for the Raiders Front 7 so far this year.
The Las Vegas Raiders have a legitimate chance to pick up a huge AFC road victory on Sunday and do so against a team that could be fighting them for a playoff spot down the line. Containing Henry is going to be paramount, as Ryan Tannehill is struggling this season, but that is always easier said than done.