The Raiders finally play at home this Sunday, squaring up against the Lions in their first game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum since Sept. 15.
And it’s a good week to play in front of Raiders fans.
Oakland’s record sits at 3-4, and the club must keep pace in the AFC if it’s to make the playoffs. The Raiders are one game behind the AFC West-leading Chiefs in the loss column. In the wild-card race, Oakland trails the Texans by the same margin, who hold the No. 6 seed as of now.
The Raiders’ schedule becomes more favorable, with the club playing its next three games at home. First up: a Detroit team with a 3-3-1 record. Here are the players to watch as Oakland attempts to vault back into a viable playoff position.
DB Lamarcus Joyner
Joyner received a massive payday to come to Oakland as a free agent. He’s delivered in spots but has been unspectacular, though solid, recently.
This would be an excellent time for him to break out and become a playmaker for a defense that sorely needs one. The Raiders could have escaped Houston with a win last week with just a few more impactful snaps.
Watch to see if Joyner can make that sort of difference for Oakland against a Lions offense that relies on the passing game and quarterback Matthew Stafford.
DE Benson Mayowa
Joyner can’t do it all from the back end of the defense. He needs help from the front line to disrupt Matthew Stafford’s timing and confidence. The Raiders’ best hope for such results appears to lie with veteran defensive end Benson Mayowa.
He’s amassed 5.5 sacks thus far, helping Oakland reach it’s sack total from last season already, with 13. Mayowa is efficient as well, notching a sack, a tackle for loss and a QB hit last week despite playing just 34 percent of the snaps on defense.
Watch to see if defensive coordinator Paul Guenther finally realizes that Mayowa is his best option to disrupt the QB, especially against a pass-reliant team like Detroit. If Mayowa still plays limited snaps, watch him anyway. He could be poised for a multi-sack game.
CB Trayvon Mullen
The Raiders traded their former first-round pick, cornerback Gareon Conley, so rookie CB Trayvon Mullen could show his stuff during live action. And he delivered.
The second-rounder allowed just two receptions for 10 yards and got both his hands on a pass early, barely missing out on an interception and likely pick-6.
But Mullen can’t be satisfied. He must play even better and show he’s a building block for the future, improving the current defense in the process. Watch to see if he can do just that.
WR Tyrell Williams
Williams returned from the injury list and performed well last week in Houston, except for the team’s last drive. He’s the Raiders’ No. 1 receiver, and if Oakland is to win, his memory must be short.
He’ll have added help spacing the Lions’ secondary from WR Zay Jones, who made his debut last week after Oakland acquired him via trade. Jones caught two passes on two targets and figures to be more involved during the Raiders stretch run.
The Lions’ defense ranks near the bottom of the NFL in QB sacks and interceptions, so this is a great opportunity for quarterback Derek Carr to get the ball to Williams and Jones early and often, so watch out for that, along with tight end Darren Waller. An efficient passing game will open the field for the next player on this week’s list, as well.
RB Josh Jacobs
Jacobs, the Raiders’ talented rookie, is the key to victory, despite the Lions’ poor stats against the pass.
First, pay attention to his health. Jacobs was somewhat limited last week in Houston, having missed most of last week’s practice. He still played, carrying the ball 15 times for 66 yards. He’s practiced more this week, so he should garner more touches.
Next, just enjoy the talent this young man possesses and the multitude of ways coach Jon Gruden uses his skills. Jacobs can run between the tackles, on the outside, or slip out of the backfield and become a receiver.
Jacobs’ skill ensures the offense stays on schedule as well, helping Carr avoid third-and-long situations. That, in turn, assists the defense, allowing them to rest. Gruden and Carr have this offense in perfect balance, and like former Major League Baseball great, Reggie Jackson, Jacobs is the straw that stirs the drink — not just for the offense but the entire team.
If the Raiders are to make a playoff run, the time is now. The team survived their five-game road trip, and an easier schedule awaits. Oakland’s next four opponents before facing the Chiefs for the second time hold a combined 7-22-1 record, and three of those games are at home. Watch to see if Gruden can lead these players to contention earlier than expected, and give the fans in Oakland something to be proud of.
