Oakland Raiders vs. Tennessee Titans: Full Oakland Game Preview
The Oakland Raiders travel to play the Tennessee Titans in a game they’re supposed to win, or so we thought a few weeks ago.
Now, it’s not clear when to project the Raiders as a favorite to win games regardless of the opposing team’s record. Realistically, Oakland (4-6) stands two games ahead of the Titans, who have struggled with injuries, fired their head coach and start a rookie quarterback.
After a Week 11 loss to the Detroit Lions, defensive lineman Khalil Mack stewed in frustration over losing games his team should win, per CSNBayArea.com reporter Scott Bair.
Bleacher Report experts gave Oakland the benefit of the doubt in a 7-1 decision over Tennessee. However, the Titans field the league’s No. 3-ranked pass defense and are facing an offense that’s struggled over the past two weeks. Secondly, the Raiders have lost three games against current top-10 pass defenses.
The Titans sit in the cellar of the AFC South, but a stingy secondary will force the Raiders into another competitive matchup.
Location: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
Date: Sunday, Nov. 29
Time: 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Week 11 Results and Recap
1 of 6
AFC West
Denver Broncos (8-2)
Kansas City Chiefs (5-5)
Oakland Raiders (4-6)
San Diego Chargers (2-8)
AFC Wild-Card Race
*Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4)
*Kansas City Chiefs (5-5)
Houston Texans (5-5)
Buffalo Bills (5-5)
New York Jets (5-5)
Oakland Raiders (4-6)
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-6)
Miami Dolphins (4-6)
*Note: Team currently holds a wild-card spot.
The Raiders took another giant step backward in the AFC West and wild-card race by losing to the Lions.
The Kansas City Chiefs have won four consecutive games without running back Jamaal Charles and resemble viable playoff contenders. Despite a shakeup at quarterback, the Denver Broncos put together another victory as strong division leaders.
Oakland stands behind four 5-5 teams for the final wild-card spot. Two matchups with the Chiefs lie ahead, but the winning must start in Week 12 against the Titans.
News and Notes
2 of 6
Raiders Waive Ray-Ray Armstrong
According to the team’s official website, Oakland waived linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong.
Armstrong put himself in position to play significant snaps through a solid offseason. However, his out-of-control tendencies and lack of production on the field phased him out of Oakland. He didn’t play a single down in the previous outing.
The decision to waive the third-year linebacker comes as a bit of a surprise with Aldon Smith’s suspension and rookie Neiron Ball’s injury diminishing the linebacker corps.
Jack Del Rio Holds Coaching Staff Accountable
Head coach Jack Del Rio took his coaching staff to task during Monday’s press conference. He placed the onus on his staff, particularly offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave, to design more plays focusing on rookie sensation Amari Cooper.
"I think there were some opportunities with one-on-one coverage that, quite frankly, we didn’t take advantage of,” Del Rio said. “We have to do a better job of making sure that we get our top playmakers involved. Coming out of that game, I feel like we didn’t do a good enough job there as a staff of getting him involved."
That sounds like a direct message to Musgrave, but Derek Carr must also feel confident in targeting the rookie despite 10 drops on the season. The Raiders signal-caller expressed the utmost confidence in Cooper during Tuesday’s press conference.
Carr said he wouldn’t force passes, but the young wideout should see more than four targets against the Titans.
More Tight End Issues on the Horizon?
For Oakland, an old issue will arise with the Titans depending heavily on tight end Delanie Walker for production in the passing attack.
Walker leads the team in receptions (53) and receiving yards (617) as the primary threat in the passing offense.
Rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota trusts his big target (6'0", 248 lbs) at tight end in most situations. The tandem will test the Raiders' progress in covering tight ends across the middle.
Key Injuries
3 of 6
Rodney Hudson (DNP): Center Rodney Hudson tweaked the same ankle that caused him to sit out in Week 10, per Bair. He missed practice on Wednesday.
Neiron Ball (DNP): According to general manager Reggie McKenzie, via San Jose Mercury News reporter Jimmy Durkin, linebacker Neiron Ball’s knee strain will keep him out for about the same amount of time as defensive lineman Benson Mayowa was sidelined with his injury—a month. Ball injured his knee against the San Diego Chargers in Week 7. He hasn’t practiced in four weeks and sat out on Wednesday.
Lee Smith (FP): As expected, tight end Lee Smith practiced in full on Wednesday after recovering from wrist surgery, per Bair. The Raiders need him blocking on the edge to encourage some outside runs against the Titans' No. 18-ranked run defense.
Taiwan Jones: (Knee, DNP)
Keith McGill: (Ankle, DNP)
Charles Woodson: (Shoulder, DNP)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Key Matchups
4 of 6
Raiders Linebackers vs. Titans Tight Ends
As previously mentioned, Walker leads the Titans in major receiving categories, but the Titans utilize all three tight ends on the depth chart within the passing offense.
Walker, Anthony Fasano and Craig Stevens account for nearly half of Mariota’s passing yards and five touchdowns this season. Tennessee will challenge Oakland with a full dose of athleticism, power and sure hands at the tight end position across the field.
The Raiders don’t have a top-notch coverage linebacker on the field. Lately, Malcolm Smith has struggled in coverage. Ben Heeney remains a work in progress in pass defense. Curtis Lofton continues to lose snaps due to his inability to break up a pass.
Del Rio didn’t offer further updates on Ball returning to action from a knee injury, which means tight end coverage could pose a major issue on Sunday.
Amari Cooper vs. No. 3-Ranked Pass Defense
Both Carr and Del Rio remained confident in Cooper’s ability and downplayed his 10 drops through nine games. It’s the type of confidence a rookie needs to move through rough patches in the NFL.
A solid performance against the No. 3-ranked pass defense in the league should boost his self-confidence going forward. Expect Carr to look for Cooper early and frequently in the game to jumpstart the offense.
The Titans allowed a 100-yard receiver for the first time in eight games in a previous outing with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Cooper may not eclipse that mark, but six receptions for 70 yards would put him back on the right track.
X-Factor: Clive Walford
5 of 6
The Raiders should go tit for tat with the Titans tight ends by targeting rookie Clive Walford.
The rookie tight end could play a major role against Tennessee’s defense that allowed touchdowns to tight ends in three consecutive games. Walford has tiptoed on the fringe of relevance within the Raiders offense, but he’s yet to take a deep dive as a consistent weapon.
In the two previous outings, Oakland’s offense has gone stale. Walford’s involvement in the passing attack keeps linebacker Brian Orakpo, who leads the team in sacks, away from Carr in the pocket and occupied in pass defense.
The Raiders need another option in the vertical attack to loosen up a stingy secondary.
Prediction: Raiders 23, Titans 16
6 of 6
The Raiders will feed running back Latavius Murray 20-plus carries to reinvigorate the ground attack against the Titans’ No. 17-ranked rush defense.
It’s imperative for the Raiders to integrate the rushing offense due to their 0-5 record when Murray fails to reach 50 rushing yards. Carr’s performance will reach a level of decency but nothing over the top against a stellar secondary.
Together, safeties Nate Allen and Charles Woodson will slow down the Titans’ tight end production by stepping into midfield coverage and defending deep routes in center field.
Raiders 23, Titans 16
Follow Maurice Moton on Twitter for news, updates and intriguing discussion about the Oakland Raiders.
All statistics are provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com, Pro Football Focus and Team Rankings unless otherwise noted.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
