My, how quickly fortunes can turn in the NFL.
Not long ago, it appeared the Raiders would trudge toward London to face the Bears with minimal hopes or aspirations. Oakland started a five-game stretch away from home with a seemingly demoralizing loss to the Vikings, and a matchup with the Colts loomed.
The Raiders displayed mental toughness in Indianapolis, however, and in a reversal from the Vikings game, Oakland started quickly, holding on for a win. Their record sits at 2-2 as they prepare with a purpose for an imposing Chicago club.
The Bears come off a dominating win against the same Vikings squad that got the best of Jon Gruden’s bunch in Week 3. And, in a fact that can’t be avoided: former Raiders All-Pro defensive end Khalil Mack will face his old team for the first time. He’ll try to terrorize the quarterback, as usual, even if it’s an old friend in Derek Carr.
Here are the players to watch as the Raiders attempt to notch a winning record for the first time since Week 1.
QB Derek Carr
This is still a make-or-break season for Carr, as he continues his effort to firmly establish himself as Gruden’s signal-caller for the indefinite future.
His stock is up after he guided the Raiders’ win against the Colts. Oakland is starting to form an identity on offense, and it appears much of it involves short and intermediate throws from Carr to loosen up the defense for the run game and potential shots downfield to his wide receivers.
Watch to see if Carr can keep his momentum going. As with the majority of quarterbacks in the NFL, his team’s fortunes will almost assuredly mirror his performance.
RB Josh Jacobs
Running back Josh Jacobs is precisely what Carr and Gruden need to complete their offensive gameplan. After peppering the Colts with high-percentage passes, the Raiders hit Indianapolis with powerful run plays featuring their rookie phenom.
Jacobs displayed agility and awareness along with power on his way to 79 rushing yards, with many coming late in the game when the Raiders needed not only yards but for time to tick off the clock. Jacobs also set a career-high in catches, though it was just two receptions on two targets. Watch to see if Carr throws him the ball more often in London.
Also, watch to see if Jacobs can continue his record pace for the Raiders. He’s set the mark for rushing yards by a Raiders rookie through four games, with 295. While Jacobs has been a revelation, he’s yet to crack 100 yards rushing in a single game. If he does so against the Bears, it would send shockwaves through the NFL.
But for a more realistic expectation, monitor Jacobs’ total yards. If he tops 100 yards rushing and receiving, the Raiders chances for a win increase exponentially.
OT Kolton Miller, OT Trent Brown
This is an article about Raiders to watch, so Khalil Mack is not highlighted, but this is the closest thing to it.
Raiders offensive tackles, Kolton Miller and Trent Brown, must not only keep Mack away from Carr, but they’ve also got an entire defense to watch out for. But it’s Mack that’s facing his former team, and human nature dictates he’ll play with an added edge.
Mack doesn’t need that special advantage to dominate even the elite offensive tackles in the NFL, so Miller and Brown have to play their best game of the season. Watch the edge of the offensive line, and keep an eye out for how Gruden may scheme to lend Miller and Brown a hand when Mack is lined up opposite them. He’ll be looking for a reunion with his old buddy Carr in the Raiders’ backfield.
LB Nicholas Morrow
The only middle linebacker listed on the Raiders depth chart to start the season, Vontaze Burfict, is gone, having been suspended for the season after a helmet-to-helmet hit against the Colts. How the Raiders address this is a huge factor not only for this game but for the rest of the campaign.
Last week, LB Tahir Whitehead took the role of play-caller, but LB Nicholas Morrow stepped up as well. He played 79 percent of the defensive snaps in Indianapolis. Morrow responded with seven tackles (six solo), one tackle for loss and a pass defensed.
This position could be in flux for the rest of 2019. Oakland recently signed reinforcements at linebacker in Justin Phillips and Dakota Allen. But Morrow knows the system of defensive coordinator Paul Guenther and performed well last week. Watch to see if he can fill the void left by Burfict.
DE Maxx Crosby
Regrettably, Mack gets another mention in this slide—the Raiders are still in desperate need of a pass rush after trading the superstar. Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock drafted defensive end Maxx Crosby to help, and he made an impact for the first time in the Raiders Week 4 win in Indianapolis.
Crosby had a career day, with two tackles, four quarterback pressures, two batted passes and one enormous forced fumble on Oakland’s side of the field, which defensive back Karl Joseph recovered. The Raiders are in dire need of an answer to their pass-rush woes. Watch to see if Crosby can provide one, as Oakland’s former solution, Mack, watches.
Also keep an eye out for defensive back, Lamarcus Joyner. The nickel cornerback barely played against the Vikings, who are a run-heavy team. Last week, the Raiders played with five defensive backs for much of the game, and Joyner wreaked havoc. He’s too good to stay off the field. So if he’s not out there, something is wrong.
And on offense, don’t miss the Raiders’ tight end tandem, Darren Waller and rookie Foster Moreau. Waller excels as a receiver, and Moreau had a breakout game last week as an all-around player. Gruden likes to use multiple tight ends, and this pair seems primed to make a difference.
The Raiders are once again underdogs, but morale is solid. The team must have a good showing to keep it that way. Past London trips have been unkind, including a rout last year at the hands of the Seahawks.
If the Raiders do perform well, one or two big plays could turn the result in Oakland’s favor and they might steal a win. If that’s the case, their spirits will be higher than their plane’s altitude as they return home to enjoy their bye week and look forward to the rest of the season.
