Sunday, Sept. 22 at 12:00 p.m. CT, U.S. Bank Stadium – Minneapolis, Minnesota
Raiders’ keys to victory: Force Vikings QB Kirk Cousins into bad decisions. Cousins had his moments in Week 2 against the Packers, but he had three turnovers, including an interception late in the fourth quarter that cost Minnesota the game. LaMarcus Joyner and the Raiders defense just got lit up by Patrick Mahomes. If we’ve learned anything during his career, we know that Cousins is no Mahomes. We’ll see if Minnesota’s $84 million quarterback can bounce back.
Vikings’ keys to victory: Keep running the ball. Vikings RB Dalvin Cook has back-to-back 100-yard games to start the 2019 season after a hamstring injury hampered him last season. The goal of Mike Zimmer has been to run the ball, and after two weeks, so far so good. The Raiders were 30th against the run last season, so there should be an opportunity again for Cook to shine.
Matchup to watch: Raiders RT Kolton Miller vs. Vikings DE Danielle Hunter Do you know what’s not fun? Trying to block the monster that is Hunter. Hunter has two sacks to start the 2019 season after piling up 14.5 last season. Miller, the 15th pick of the 2018 draft, had an eh rookie season. Look for Hunter to be aggressive and advantage of this matchup.
Who wins? A prideful Vikings team will come out hot and heavy, forgetting a miserable Week 2. Vikings 31, Raiders 13
