Detroit Lions Can't Underestimate Playoff-Targeting Oakland Raiders
By Danny Cox
No one could have possibly thought that the Detroit Lions would deal the Green Bay Packers a third straight loss this season. There was even less of a chance with the game taking place at Lambeau Field. Still, it happened, and it brought a huge lift to morale for the Lions. Now things must be brought back down to earth and prep for the Oakland Raiders needs to begin.
The Raiders lost a tough one to the Minnesota Vikings, and they are going to seriously want to get that win back this week. It's crucial to their playoff chances and they're going to use a vast array of collected weapons to do it.
Season Record
Oakland is sitting at 4-5 and in second place in the AFC West. It may be a bit much to ask to see them catch the 7-2 Denver Broncos, but one never knows. The Raiders are tied with the Kansas City Chiefs and they need to fight and scrape for a Wild Card berth if they want any chance at the postseason.
Oakland Raiders on Offense
Quarterback Derek Carr has really made the Raiders his own team and he's doing it with some great play after finally getting his chance to be a leader. Through this season so far, he has passed for over 2,000 yards to go along with 19 touchdowns as opposed to just four interceptions.
One of the biggest reasons for his success is the wide receiver tandem of rookie Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree. The duo has more than half of Carr's passing yardage total and nine of his 19 scoring passes. Add in running back Latavius Murray and his 640 yards on the ground, and the Raiders have a lot of offensive strengths that aren't usually seen in Oakland.
Oakland Raiders on Defense
The normally strong defense of the Raiders isn't how it used to be, but there are some strengths here and there. Linebacker Malcolm Smith has become the defensive leader and it shows in his numbers, with 59 total tackles and three sacks to go along with one interception.
Matthew Stafford will have to keeps his eyes on Smith and defensive end Khalil Mack, who leads the team with four sacks and is a vicious pass-rusher. At the same time, the Lions receivers will need to find ways to break through a rather strong Oakland secondary.
Oakland Raiders' Players to Watch
On offense, the one to watch is rookie wide receiver Amari Cooper. He's easily working on Offensive Rookie of the Year, and it would not be surprising to see him win it. His speed and size make it hard for any defender to cover him, and that shows with his 653 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Cooper leads the team in receiving and will be a threat in the NFL for a long time.
Defensively, Stafford needs to keep his eyes peeled for a crafty veteran in Charles Woodson. In his 18th NFL season and at 39-years young, he's tied for the NFL lead in interceptions Mike Adams of Indianapolis, as they both have five. He's dealing with a bit of a shoulder injury, but he's still someone that can turn around a game in one play.
Outlook
The Detroit Lions need to ride the high that they are on after defeating the Green Bay Packers and keep the momentum going, but not get too ahead of themselves. Derek Carr and the Oakland Raiders are improving with every single game, and they're a lot more dangerous than their record shows.
Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. Danny is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
