Green Bay Packers vs. Oakland Raiders: Full Oakland Game Preview
The Oakland Raiders' matchup with the Green Bay Packers looks much different than anyone initially expected.
The Packers must respect the Raiders’ potent passing attack. Oakland’s defense should primarily focus on Green Bay’s No. 8 rushing offense as opposed to its No. 23 passing attack.
Although still dangerous, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (28 touchdowns, five interceptions) doesn’t present the same danger deep downfield without his No. 1 wideout Jordy Nelson, who’s on injured reserve with a knee injury. Rodgers averages 6.9 yards per pass attempt, his lowest since taking over as the starting quarterback.
Nevertheless, Rodgers remains efficient and a threat to extend plays. Defensive lineman Khalil Mack faces a tough challenge in chasing him down for the entire contest.
Oakland comes into this contest with a revitalized run defense, holding the opposition under 100 rushing yards in the previous three outings.
The ability to render the Packers offense one-dimensional will help the Raiders earn another victory.
We’ll discuss some key matchups, players and forecast a prediction between the Packers and Raiders.
Location: O.co. Coliseum; Oakland, California
Date: Sunday, Dec. 20
Time: 1:05 p.m. PT / 4:05 p.m. ET
TV: Fox
Week 14 Results and Recap
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AFC West
Denver Broncos (10-3)
Kansas City Chiefs (8-5)
Oakland Raiders (6-7)
San Diego Chargers (3-10)
AFC Wild-Card Race
Kansas City Chiefs* (8-5)
New York Jets* (8-5)
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5)
Oakland Raiders (6-7)
Buffalo Bills (6-7)
Houston Texans (6-7)
*Note: Team currently holds a wild-card spot.
The Raiders’ upset victory over the Denver Broncos keeps their playoff hopes mathematically alive.
Head coach Jack Del Rio has kept the players motivated to play, and the team achieved a big win over a division rival who’s dominated them over past four years.
Right now, Oakland sits behind the Pittsburgh Steelers as the No. 8 team in the AFC with another tough challenge ahead on its home turf. The Packers continue to play hard in hopes of sealing a fifth consecutive NFC North division title.
News and Notes
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Raiders Place Jon Condo on Injured Reserve, Sign Thomas Gafford
Long snapper Jon Condo recovered a crucial fumble on a muffed punt and injured his shoulder on the play. On Tuesday, Oakland placed him on injured reserve and signed Thomas Gafford to assume long snapper duties going forward, per the team’s official website.
Gafford played seven seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and 11 games with the Chicago Bears this season.
Derek Carr Buys Flat-Screen TVs for Offensive Line
According to Raiders.com writer Eddie Paskal, quarterback Derek Carr bought 55-inch flat-screen TVs for his bodyguards in the trenches.
It’s a great gesture from Carr and a well-deserved gift for an offensive line that’s kept the quarterback clean for a majority of the season.
To put things into perspective, Carr has been sacked 19 times. Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler has been sacked 17 times in five games. An effective offensive line provides the best environment for a developing quarterback, and Carr knows it.
James Jones Returns to Oakland
The Raiders will have to stop a familiar face on the opposite sideline. Packers wide receiver James Jones returns to Oakland, where he spent one season during Carr’s rookie campaign.
Jones has accumulated 35 catches for 660 yards as Rodgers’ deep threat, averaging 18.9 yards per catch. He finished with 73 receptions for 666 yards, averaging 9.1 yards per catch in the Raiders’ remedial dink-and-dunk offense in 2014.
Jones seems happy with the team that originally drafted him in 2007, but he’s probably itching to prove something to his former team in one of his best statistical seasons.
Key Injuries
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Amari Cooper/Khalil Mack (DNP)
Don’t ring the alarm bells. According to NFL.com, the Raiders kept Mack (knee) and Amari Cooper (foot) off the practice field for precautionary reasons. Both players will take the field on Sunday, barring any setbacks during the week.
Austin Howard: (DNP)
Right tackle Austin Howard (knee) missed practice on Wednesday. Howard injured his knee in the third quarter of the previous outing against the Broncos. During Monday’s press conference, Del Rio labeled Howard as day-to-day.
According to San Francisco Chronicle writer Vic Tafur, the Raiders moved backup center Tony Bergstrom into the starting right guard position and shifted J’Marcus Webb to right tackle after Howard left the field.
The coaching staff may continue to use Bergstrom inside and Webb on the outside in Howard's absence.
Nate Allen: (LP)
Safety Nate Allen (knee) returned to practice with limitations on Wednesday. He missed the previous outing, which extended safety Taylor Mays' playing time and moved T.J. Carrie to safety for the majority of the game.
Allen’s ability to practice bodes well for his availability on Sunday.
Taiwan Jones: (Knee, DNP)
Shelby Harris: (Ankle, FP)
Neiko Thorpe: (Neck, LP)
Charles Woodson: (Shoulder, DNP)
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Key Matchups
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Eddie Lacy/James Starks vs. Raiders Run Defense
Rodgers remains the star of the Packers offense, but the ground attack became a focal point with the receivers struggling throughout the season. The Packers receivers, including tight ends and running backs, have dropped 30 passes.
However, running backs Eddie Lacy and James Starks each average at least four yards per carry.
Rodgers will make some throws, but the Raiders must find a way to limit the league’s best rushing offense, averaging 158 rushing yards over the past three games.
Oakland relocated its stout run defense after a string of bad losses but faces a tougher challenge with an efficient mobile quarterback at the helm.
The Packers went through a three-game skid in the middle of the season. In all three games, the rushing offense failed to eclipse 100 rushing yards. Rodgers threw for 300-plus yards in two of those games but still walked off the field with losses.
Amari Cooper vs. Damarious Randall
Packers cornerback Sam Shields (concussion) lists as a doubtful for Sunday’s matchup, which puts rookie cornerback Damarious Randall into the starting lineup.
The Packers selected Randall with the No. 30 overall pick in the 2015 draft. He’ll likely defend the Raiders' No. 4 overall pick, Cooper.
As of late, Cooper has struggled, converting 16 targets into a mere four receptions for 69 yards. Green Bay fields the No. 11 pass defense with skilled defensive backs across the secondary, pitting Cooper in another tough matchup.
Despite the rookie’s struggles, Carr hasn’t shied away from Cooper, which potentially sets up a crucial battle between first-round picks on Sunday.
X-Factor: Latavius Murray
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Green Bay’s No. 23-ranked run defense provides a golden opportunity for running back Latavius Murray to break out of his slump.
In the last five games, Murray averaged three yards per carry, which closely resembles Trent Richardson’s yards-per-carry average before his release during preseason. The Raiders' starting running back must pick up the pace and take advantage of the Packers’ porous interior defense.
Regardless of the offensive line combination, Oakland will depend on Murray to run decisively and draw run support from the Packers pass-rushers.
Prediction: Packers 28, Raiders 20
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There’s excitement behind Packers head coach Mike McCarthy reassuming some play-calling duties that could throw some curveballs in the Raiders’ film study, per MMQB's Andy Benoit. “With a heavier reliance on the run game, a knack for ‘building offense,’ and keeping Aaron Rodgers in structure, the Packers looked a lot like the Super Bowl contender they were expected to be,” said Benoit.
Nonetheless, Rodgers’ efficiency in the pocket and a two-headed backfield will present issues for the Raiders defense.
Oakland has shut down productive ground attacks, but none of those rushing offenses came with one of the best quarterbacks in the league, who’s capable of taking off on his own. Rodgers has logged 314 rushing yards and one touchdown on the season.
The Raiders will make life tough for Rodgers and his struggling receivers, but the Packers’ collective ground attack should seal the victory.
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.
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