{"id":2747,"date":"2016-09-26T17:31:05","date_gmt":"2016-09-26T21:31:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=2747"},"modified":"2016-09-26T17:31:05","modified_gmt":"2016-09-26T21:31:05","slug":"oakland-raiders-week-four-keys-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2016\/09\/26\/oakland-raiders-week-four-keys-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"Oakland Raiders Week Four Keys to Victory"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Oakland Raiders<\/strong> have done something incredible, and nobody is talking about it. Despite history saying the Raiders are terrible on the road, the Silver and Black have started off 2-0 as visitors. This week, they travel to Maryland to take on the Baltimore Ravens<\/strong>, and they’ll look to extend that streak to three.<\/p>\n

Oakland Raiders Week Four Keys to Victory<\/h2>\n

The Quarterback Must Go Down, and He Must Go Down Hard<\/h3>\n

Despite having more talented pass rushers than most of the league, the Raiders have struggled mightily to hit the quarterback. Only the New Orleans Saints<\/strong>, Atlanta Falcons<\/strong>, and Pittsburgh Steelers<\/strong> have registered fewer sacks than the Raiders so far this season.<\/p>\n

While Oakland has been missing the services of Aldon Smith<\/a><\/strong> and Mario Edwards<\/a> Jr.<\/strong>, Khalil Mack<\/a><\/strong> has been struggling as a defensive end. After three weeks, the All-Pro has failed to register a single sack, and the Raider Nation has noticed. Either Ken Norton<\/a> Jr.<\/strong> and Jack Del Rio<\/a><\/strong> need to let Mack return to his natural position as a linebacker, or they need to find ways to take advantage of all his double teams. Bruce Irvin<\/a> <\/strong>has failed to make an impact as a pass rusher, and that must\u00a0change.<\/p>\n

Fortunately for Mack and Irvin, the Ravens have given up six sacks in three games against mediocre pass rushes. Joe Flacco<\/a><\/strong> has been hit 19 times and hasn’t faced anyone as talented as Khalil Mack yet. The Raiders need to take advantage of a shaky offensive line that is missing Kelechi Osemele<\/a><\/strong> terribly (who departed to Oakland via free agency), and knock Joe Flacco around.<\/p>\n

Speed Kills… Corners<\/h3>\n

So far this season, Sean Smith<\/a><\/strong> and the Raider secondary have struggled<\/a> with fast receivers, which is an area of strength for the Ravens. Mike Wallace<\/a><\/strong> and Breshad Perriman<\/a><\/strong> are a couple of speedy pass catchers, and Joe Flacco has the arm to throw it deep. Smith, David Amerson<\/a><\/strong>, and rookie Karl Joseph<\/a> <\/strong>are going to have their hands full against these speedy receivers.<\/p>\n

If the pass rush doesn’t show up for a fourth straight week, the Raider secondary\u00a0will be pressured. The Ravens rushing attack is dreadful, and shouldn’t give the defense as much trouble as DeMarco Murray<\/a><\/strong> did last week, but these receivers might. Don’t be surprised if the Ravens take advantage of\u00a0Oakland’s troubled secondary.<\/p>\n

Business As Usual<\/h3>\n

The Oakland Raider offense is no joke. From Derek Carr<\/a> <\/strong>to Michael Crabtree<\/a><\/strong> to Latavius Murray<\/a><\/strong>, this unit is clicking. There have been some criticisms of offensive coordinator<\/a> Bill Musgrave<\/a><\/strong>, but the offense produces. Anchored by the best offensive line<\/a> in football, the Raiders have had no problem running or passing the ball so far this year.<\/p>\n

The Ravens defense is good. Only the Seattle Seahawks<\/strong> have given up fewer yards, and they boast nine sacks after three weeks. However, they remain mostly untested. The Buffalo Bills<\/strong>, Cleveland Browns<\/strong>, and Jacksonville Jaguars<\/strong> are a combined 1-8 so far this season, and none of their offenses are in the top 15.<\/p>\n

This will be a big test for Oakland’s offense and Baltimore’s defense. Whichever unit comes out and plays like they have been so far this season will probably earn the victory.<\/p>\n

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