The Raiders got embarrassed last week against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. The momentum from a strong Week 1 quickly disappeared as the Chiefs dominated the Raiders offense and defense.
Now the Raiders are facing one of the best defensives with a road game against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings have only allowed touchdowns in two quarters all season shutting out the Atlanta Falcons for three quarters, and doing the same to the Green Bay Packers.
However, The Vikings offense is extremely one dimensional. They depend heavily on the run game where the Raiders defense has excelled the past two games. The defense will get a heavy dose of Dalvin Cook on Sunday, but still, face maybe the best wide receiver duo in football with Stefon Diggs and Adam Thelin.
With that said, let us look at the three keys to a Raiders victory.
1. Creating short fields for the Offense
The Raiders are facing a defense that is top ten in almost every defensive category. The Vikings are nine in yards per play at 5.0 and top ten in scoring defense averaging 16 points per game. The Raiders won’t be able to consistently go on 75-yard drives and will need the defense to create turnovers to give the offense short fields.
It is well known that the quarterback they are playing against is known for a least a fumble or two a game. Kirk Cousins has 50 career fumbles in his eight-year career, and the Raiders need to cause a fumble or two for good field position.
With the Vikings having a weaker offensive line as well, it is up to the young guns on the defense to create plenty of pressure and force turnovers. The Raiders will need short fields to put up points, or the offense could struggle throughout the game.
2. Attack the seams
The Vikings are one the defenses in the NFL who play a high amount of two high safeties and switch up their looks. The best place to attack two high is in the middle of the field, and that is where Derek Carr shines as a passer.
Carr highest EPA last year on his passing attempts came on seam routes. Hopefully, Gruden understands this and opens up the middle of the field for the speedy Darren Waller to attack the seams adding play-action fakes. With teams having to respect newcomer Josh Jacobs even more than before, it will be essential to attack the middle of the field.
The Raiders should use play fakes targeting Waller at a high rate. If the Raiders can do this, it will help put the Vikings into a pass-first mode which is away from their identity.
3. Stop RB Dalvin Cook
The main item on the Raiders agenda this week is stop Dalvin Cook. The Vikings lean on Cook no matter the score, and it is crucial or the Raiders to slow down the run game and get them into third and long situations.
The Packers last week held Cook down for the first quarter, but he started the second quarter with a 75-yard touchdown which got the Vikings back into the game. The Raiders can’t let that happen and force the Vikings to become a passing offense with third and long situations.
With the Vikings biggest weakness being the offensive line Paul Guenther can get exotic with the blitzes. He needs to put pressure on the struggling Cousins who doesn’t look like himself. If the Raiders can slow down the Vikings running game they might be able to sneak out of Minnesota with a win.
