National Football League

Preview and Prediction: Oakland Raiders at Baltimore Ravens

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:52 p.m. ET

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Coming off a 17-10 win over the Tennessee Titans, the Oakland Raiders are back on the road to take on the undefeated Baltimore Ravens.

After earning a much-needed win in Nashville over the Tennessee Titans, the Oakland Raiders (2-1) will hit the road again to take on an undefeated Baltimore Ravens team (3-0) that will be looking for revenge after dropping their game against the Raiders in Oakland in 2015, 33-37.

“Oh yeah. It’s going to be an extreme challenge,” Raiders quarterback Derek Carr said of the Ravens, via Kyle Martin of Raiders.com. “They’re very physical, they’re 3-0. No one’s beat them yet and it’s going to be very tough, especially going into their place. They’re very good and I respect the heck out of them. They’ve got some great pieces, and I’m really looking forward to competing against them.”

Here we take a look at just how tough this matchup is going to be for Carr and his Raiders’ Week 4 contest against the Ravens.

Sep 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) catches a touchdown pass in front of Baltimore Ravens strong safety Will Hill (33) in the third quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Ravens 37-33. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Cooper and Crabtree to Take Advantage of Shareece Wright

Raiders receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree had their way with Titans cornerback Perrish Cox in Week 3, as offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave had a great deal of success targeting the struggling cornerback early and often.

We could see a similar game plan in Week 4.

Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith has had an up and down career in terms of production, but he has still proven to be the clear No. 1 cornerback in Baltimore, with veteran Lardarius Webb making the move to safety.

In Webb’s absence, former San Diego Charges cornerback Shareece Wright has struggled.

Now in his second year with the Ravens, Wright has earned the nod on the outside opposite of Smith, but through three starts, the nod has appeared undeserving.

According to PFF.com, Wright has earned the 85th overall grade (46.4) among the 102 eligible cornerbacks in the NFL, despite his above average grade against the run (84.3).

Though not always true, an NFL defense can sometimes be only as good as its weakest link, and if Wright is unable to keep Cooper and/or Crabtree from taking over this game, Baltimore’s weakest link could let this game get ugly, early.

Sep 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders receiver Seth Roberts (10) catches a 12-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter for the winning score as Baltimore Ravens linebacker C.J. Mosley (57) and cornerback Ladarius Webb (21) react at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Ravens 37-33. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens’ Linebacking Corps to Stun Raiders’ Rushing Attack

After finishing the 2015 season with the 28th ranked rushing offense, the Raiders are off to a hot start with Latavius Murray and company, as Oakland’s new-look backfield currently holds the No. 2 spot behind the New England Patriots in total rushing yards, per NFL.com.

Oakland’s high-powered rushing attack will face their first true test of the season against a Ravens defense that is allowing less than four yards per carry (3.8) and just 86 yards per game on the ground.

Led by 2014 second-round pick Timmy Jernigan, Baltimore’s defensive line has flashed at times, but if the Raiders are going to tip their hat to one group on the Ravens’ defense, it will be to their linebackers.

Former first-round pick C.J. Mosley anchors the group as the Ravens’ top-tier inside linebacker alongside Zachary Orr, an undrafted inside linebacker out of North Texas in 2014.

Mosley plays to his strengths as a versatile, athletic linebacker, for the Alabama product is similar to Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly in the fact that he too is both stout against the run and capable of making plays in coverage.

Mosley has graded out as the ninth overall linebacker through three weeks, per PFF.com.

Orr, on the other hand, hasn’t received a lot of recognition because of his poor efforts in coverage, but he has excelled when asked to defend the run inside the box, now currently leading the team with 24 combined tackles.

Outside of Mosley and Orr, veteran outside linebacker Terrell Suggs has performed as expected, but opposite of the future Hall of Famer, fellow edge linebacker Albert McLellan hasn’t followed suit.

Fortunately for the Ravens, McLellan won’t have to play in Suggs’ shadow on Sunday, as longtime Denver Broncos outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil is expected to make his 2016 debut after undergoing successful foot surgery over the offseason.

In 16 games with Baltimore in 2015, Dumervil accumulated 48 combined tackles and six sacks.

With Dumervil and Suggs paired up again and Mosley and Orr continuing to hold down the middle, the Raiders’ offense could become one-dimensional if their three-headed monster — Murray, DeAndre Washington, and Jalen Richard — is unable to outplay Baltimore’s second level.

Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oakland Raiders guard Vadal Alexander (74) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Vadal Alexander Will Determine the Raiders’ Offensive Success

With offensive tackles Menelik Watson and Austin Howard both out with injuries, rookie seventh-round pick Vadal Alexander will likely earn his first career start over Matt McCants at right tackle on Sunday.

Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio highlighted that both Alexander and McCants each took a lot of reps with the first team throughout the week, but after seeing Alexander’s performance in limited action against Tennessee, it’s likely that Del Rio pushes Alexander to the top of the depth chart.

The former LSU product earned the fourth highest offensive grade (73.9) for Oakland after coming in for an injured Watson in the second quarter against Tennessee.

With Suggs and Dumervil pinning their ears back off the edge, Alexander’s first career start could turn from an outstanding achievement to an absolute nightmare if he isn’t prepared for a dogfight.

Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta (88) catches a pass over the defense of Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Chris Kirksey (58) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

A Healthy Dennis Pitta Will Cause Matchup Problems

Without Delanie Walker in the lineup last week, the Raiders lucked out in their matchup against Tennessee, as the Titans’ backup tight end Jace Amaro had just three receptions for 59 yards.

Raiders defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. won’t be so lucky in Baltimore.

Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta, a 2010 fourth-round pick out of BYU, has struggled with injuries throughout his entire career, and that is an understatement. However, he has proven healthy through three games this season, and Pitta has never looked better.

In three starts, Pitta has brought in 18 of 24 targets for 183 yards, now leading the team in both receptions and receiving yards.

In the few years he has been healthy, Pitta has been veteran quarterback Joe Flacco’s favorite target, for as much as the Flacco loves to heave the ball deep, the former Delaware product is most comfortable with a healthy, productive security blanket like Pitta.

With rookies Karl Joseph (safety) and Cory James (inside linebacker) expected to earn their second career start for the Raiders, their performance hangs on whether or not Pitta takes over on Sunday.

Sep 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Baltimore Ravens receiver Steve Smith (89) is defended by Oakland Raiders linebackers Khalil Mack (52) and Malcolm Smith (53) in the third quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Ravens 37-33. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Khalil Mack and Company Will Finally Pressure the Quarterback

Through three games, the Raiders’ top-tier defensive line led by All-Pro defensive end Khalil Mack and former Seattle Seahawk Bruce Irvin, has failed to live up to the hype.

Oakland has sacked opposing quarterbacks just three times this season, tying for 28th in the NFL, and if that wasn’t a hard enough pill to swallow, Mack is responsible for zero of their three sacks.

Yes, he is regularly double-teamed and even triple-teamed, but if he is going to become a premier pass-rusher in this league, he needs to get to the quarterback regardless of the circumstances.

Fortunately for Mack, he will have a favorable matchup against Baltimore’s banged-up offensive line.

Rookie left tackle Ronnie Stanley, the sixth-overall pick in this year’s draft, has yet to be ruled out for Sunday’s game; however, the former Notre Dame standout has missed all practices this week with a foot injury, which in turn, points to veteran tackle James Hurst getting the start.

Hurst, a former undrafted free agent in 2013 out of North Carolina, has 13 career starts for the Ravens.

Opposite of Hurst, Baltimore’s right tackle Ricky Wagner has started the season strong, ranking 14th (81.2) among all NFL tackles.

In an effort to find the best matchup, Mack and Irvin will likely split reps picking on Hurst.

Both of the Raiders’ edge-rushers will have the upper hand against either of the Ravens’ tackles, and with that being said, Flacco will need a helping hand off his back, early and often.

Sep 25, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson (29) during a NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Titans 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Smith and Amerson Will Be Tested

Against Tennessee, Raiders cornerbacks Sean Smith and David Amerson put together elite performances, holding the Titans’ top two outside receivers (Tajae Sharpe and Rishard Matthews) to a combined six receptions for just 80 yards.

Smith and Amerson will face much tougher matchups in Baltimore.

Future Hall of Fame receiver Steve Smith Sr. doesn’t have the speed and quickness that aided him early in his career, but his knowledge of the game and sheer experience benefits him significantly as a route runner. In solid man coverage, Smith Sr. will have a hard time creating separation at times; however, if he recognizes zone coverage early, he will regularly find space in the open holes within the zone.

Veteran receiver Mike Wallace, on the other hand, is a big play waiting to happen because of his elite top speed. Unlike Smith Sr., Wallace doesn’t have a polished route tree, but his ‘nine’ route will kill Oakland if they aren’t able to shut him down over the top.

Smith Sr. and Wallace have combined for 26 receptions for 236 yards and three touchdowns (all three touchdowns going to Wallace).

Because Norton Jr. will already have his hands full with Pitta in the middle of the field, Smith and Amerson could see a lot of one-on-one coverage outside of the hashes, so it will be up them to either crumble beneath the challenge or rise to the occasion.

Let’s hope for the latter.

Prediction: Raiders 23; Ravens 20