The Raiders currently own a 3-2 record as they exit the bye week, but considering their next opponent, Oakland can maintain its underdog mentality that’s led to early success.
The 5-1 Packers will welcome the Raiders to Green Bay on Sunday, and the NFC club led by All-Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers is an ideal matchup for a Raiders team that must maintain its edge amid newfound success. And if Oakland can maintain the balance and precision it’s found recently, the club can notch another improbable win.
Here are the players to watch as the Raiders go for their third consecutive victory in the midst of a five-game road stretch.
FB Alec Ingold
The Raiders’ identity is forming, and it involves a healthy dose of smash-mouth football. Rookie fullback, Alen Ingold is a large piece of that winning formula.
He’s a classic fullback and perfect for coach Jon Gruden’s west coast offense. He can run-block, pass-block, catch the football and even run for short yardage when needed. With the Raiders wide receiver corps banged up, most notably with No. 1 WR Tyrell Williams still not practicing, Ingold’s various skills could be counted on more.
And possibly the best part about watching Ingold: Je’ll often tell you where his fellow rookie, star running back Josh Jacobs, will be hitting the line of scrimmage on run plays.
The Raiders got a steal in Ingold, who wasn’t drafted due to the low value placed on his position. According to The San Francisco Chronicle’s Matt Kawahara, Gruden realizes how fortunate he is that Ingold signed with Oakland as a free agent.
Gruden found the perfect complement for Jacobs, and the two could form a formidable pair in the Raiders backfield for years to come. Watch to see if they can keep Oakland’s balanced offense thriving in Green Bay.
WR Hunter Renfrow
Wide receiver Hunter Renfrow is yet another rookie that Gruden added to his offensive arsenal. He hasn’t contributed as much as Ingold or Jacobs thus far, but with the WR group facing frequent turnover and Williams’ injury, Renfrow may be targeted more frequently by QB Derek Carr.
According to Kawahara, Renfrow is the only Raiders wideout to appear in all five games this season. He had a big catch on Oakland’s game-winning drive against the Bears and his confidence should be increasing.
Watch to see if Renfrow can turn his accumulated experience and opportunity amid upheaval at the WR position into increased production. If he does, he’ll erase much of Oakland’s concern at wideout.
TE Darren Waller
Fresh off signing a contract extension through 2023 worth an expected $9 million a year, per Kawahara, tight end Darren Waller must make an impact against the Packers if the Raiders are to walk away with a win.
He’s Oakland’s leader in receptions early in the campaign and looks unstoppable at times. The Raiders’ other two tight ends, Derek Carrier and rookie Foster Moreau, complement Waller perfectly. Look for Gruden to use multiple-tight end formations to take advantage of the versatility at that position.
All indications point to Waller’s character being top-notch. Nonetheless, watch to see how Waller performs after his big payday. If he plays with as much vigor as usual or perhaps more, it will be further proof that the Raiders found a winner and made a fantastic deal for now and the future.
DT Maurice Hurst
If the Raiders plan to win in Green Bay and keep the good times rolling, the defense must disrupt Rodgers and the Packers offense.
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst had his best game of the season thus far in London against the Bears with two sacks, and his slashing power and quickness, often from the interior of the line, could represent Oakland’s best shot to force Rodgers off rhythm.
After a slow start to his sophomore campaign, Hurst was the Raiders’ second-highest rated defender in London, with four pressures and two hurries to go with his QB sacks on just 24 pass-rush attempts.
Watch to see if Hurst continues to progress. The Raiders need him to. Not only to win this game but to compete on defense the rest of the year and for the foreseeable future.
DE Maxx Crosby
If the Raiders really want to frustrate Rodgers, they need to pester him from the outside as well as from the interior. Watch to see if rookie defensive end Maxx Crosby can build on his recent success that’s coincided with Oakland’s last two wins.
Veteran DE Benson Mayowa, who leads the team in sacks, is one to watch for as well. Watch for him on passing downs. Rookie DE Clelin Ferrell is scheduled to return from a concussion that held him out against the Bears, so look to see if the emergence of Hurst and Crosby can help him get to the QB and cause general havoc, as a No. 4 overall pick should.
And, as always, watch Raiders QB, Derek Carr. His command of the offense is growing by the week. Playing in Green Bay is a tall order, however, and will be a yet another test.
With an improbable 3-2 record, it might be easy for the Raiders to slip into a comfort zone. But with an opponent like the Packers, they can’t afford to. The club can embrace its underdog label for at least another week. That mindset, along with elite execution, led to two straight wins, and the Raiders know if they stick with the formula, they can notch their third improbable victory in a row.
