Come Sunday night in Washington, the Raiders offense will likely be the focus of an NFL matchup sure to produce plenty of points.
Oakland, 2-0, goes into the nationally televised game with the NFL’s fourth-ranked offense and fifth-best ground game. So, quarterback Derek Carr, running back Marshawn Lynch and a corps of terrific receivers such as Michael Crabtree, Amari Cooper and Cordarrelle Patterson are sure to get plenty of camera time.
Washington head coach Jay Gruden believes the Raiders have one of the most potent offenses in the NFL.
“There’s nothing they’re not doing well,” Gruden told reporters this week. “They can throw it, they can run it. They have a big, powerful offensive line. They have a couple of tight ends that can come in and maul you. They have great play actions and their receivers can get down the field. And Derek does an unbelievable job at giving them opportunity balls and they come down with the majority of them.”
Washington’s defense will be tested to the max, based on what it’s done so far. The unit ranks 26th overall and 26th in pass defense.
Gruden says his defense will have to raise its level Sunday night if his team is to come away with its second win in three weeks.
“It’s got to be a group effort, and we’ve got to run to the football,” he said. “All 11 of them on defense have got to pursue to the football with great passion.”
Sports
Yet the key to Sunday night’s game may not be any of the players with the football in their hands. Raiders offensive coordinator Todd Downing says the five blockers up front are an elite group that make everything happen.
If the Raiders offense is able to click again Sunday night and Oakland can come away with its third straight win, it’ll be the offensive line that deserves praise: tackles Donald Penn and Marshall Newhouse, guards Kelechi Osemele and Gabe Jackson and center Rodney Hudson.
“It’s impossible to do anything we do offensively without those guys, all five of them up front,” he said this week. “They are the straw that stirs the drink around here. We’re really fortunate to have them. The interior three, in particular, bring such a unique skill set and play at such a high level. In my opinion, they’re the best at their position in the league.”
The Raiders go into Sunday’s game as 3-point favorites. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
