The Raiders’ confidence took a hit after their 22-10 loss to the Chargers in Week 1. With their offense struggling and their defense collapsing in the second half, the team’s outlook seemed grim. But today’s matchup against the Ravens offers a golden opportunity for Las Vegas to turn things around.
The last time these two teams faced off, the Raiders pulled off a memorable win. On September 13, 2021, during a thrilling Monday Night Football game at Allegiant Stadium, the Raiders edged out the Ravens 33-27 in overtime. Edge rusher Maxx Crosby and nickelback Nate Hobbs were key players in that victory and will once again be crucial in trying to contain Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and his explosive offense.
Baltimore’s offensive line, once a strength, is now somewhat unproven with three new starters. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley is solid but not at his All-Pro best due to past injuries. Center Tyler Linderbaum is reliable, but the Ravens showed vulnerabilities in their 27-20 loss to the Chiefs. Running back Derrick Henry, a major offseason addition, struggled to make an impact in his debut, which could be good news for the Raiders. Despite losing defensive linemen Malcolm Koonce and Tyree Wilson to injury, the Raiders’ defensive line, led by Christian Wilkins and Crosby, remains strong. If they can tighten up their game, they might exploit Baltimore’s ongoing chemistry issues.
THEY SAID IT
• “Going into my ’21 season, I really wanted to improve on breaking tackles, so I watched Lamar Jackson highlights before games. He’s the best ball carrier ever, no matter the position.” —Wide receiver Davante Adams on his respect for Jackson.
• “It’s big boy football. Strap it up and prepare for pain. Grab some Advil; it’s going to hurt.” —Pierce on prepping players to defend against Henry.
• “I forgot to ask for the ball initially, but luckily the equipment guy saved it for me. It’s a keepsake for my son, who was born just after I got back to Las Vegas.” —Mattison on retrieving his first touchdown ball.
• “We want to be physically imposing and win, not lose control and start fighting. That’s not what we represent.” —Crosby on the end-of-game brawl against the Chargers.
In Week 1, Chargers’ J.K. Dobbins ran roughshod over the Raiders’ defense with 135 yards on 10 carries, highlighting ongoing issues with stopping the run. Now, the Raiders face the Ravens, the NFL’s top rushing team since Jackson became the starter. The addition of Henry, along with Jackson’s rushing prowess, presents a formidable challenge. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is focusing on assignment discipline, though Jackson and Henry are known for breaking through even the best defenses.
Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo, who had a rough Week 1, needs a strong performance against the Ravens. His athleticism makes him a prime candidate to spy on Jackson and cover tight ends like Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews, who are pivotal to Baltimore’s offense. Likely had a standout game against the Chiefs, so Deablo’s ability to contain him will be crucial.
Running back Zamir White had a tough game against the Chargers, ranking poorly among running backs in Week 1. Alexander Mattison, though not much better, had a notable touchdown reception and drew praise for his pass protection. The shift in workload between White and Mattison is something to watch, especially as they face the Ravens.
Despite some concerns over Andrews’ performance and whether Likely has surpassed him, it might be too early for drastic changes. Andrews, despite a lower yardage line this week, is still a key player, and a couple of rough games doesn’t spell the end for his impact.
As the Raiders prepare for this pivotal game, all eyes will be on their ability to rebound and make a statement against one of the NFL’s top teams. The action kicks off today at 15:00.
