Raiders at Vikings Depth Chart Preview - 2019
Sept 20, 2019 17:56:33 GMT -6
Reignman, Funkytown, and 1 more like this
Post by Danchat on Sept 20, 2019 17:56:33 GMT -6
Coming off a disappointing loss, the Vikings will face the Raiders at home. This being one of the easier games on the schedule, it'd be a major letdown if they lost this one. Let's see how the Raiders stack up:
* My thoughts *
The Raiders roster definitely has the look of a rebuilding team that's in Year 2. I can't say for sure if Derek Carr is going to be the QB of the future... he hasn't been the same player since his breakout 2016 campaign. Even against the Chiefs poor defense last week, he put up just 10 points. Part of that is because he doesn't have much to throw to. With Antonio Brown checking out of town, Tyrell Williams is one of the NFL's weakest #1 WRs. He barely cut it as a #2 in LA last year. Ryan Grant and Hunter Renfrow should not be factors. Young TE Darren Waller has looked really good so far, the former 6th round pick looks really fast for a TE.
The main threat of this offense will be Josh Jacobs, one of three 1st round rookies that Oakland has. He's already ran for 184 yards and they're going to ride him like a feature back (despite being in a 3 way rotation back at Alabama). He may not be at 100% due to a sickness (where he reported has lost 10 pounds) and a hip problem. The Raiders O-line welcomes back mentally-unstable G Richie Incognito from a suspension, though it's been 2 years since he's last played. Hudson and Brown are stud O-linemen. Denzelle Good will likely start in Gabe Jackson's place, and he'll likely be a liability against the Vikings' D-line. I'm surprised they kept Kolton Miller at LT despite making Trent Brown the highest paid tackle of all time. He was atrocious there last season, though his play is beginning to improve.
The Raiders defense haven't been graded well by PFF, especially the front seven. They've stopped the run well in their first two games against Denver and Kansas City, but the Vikings are going to challenge them with Dalvin Cook. A major problem with this team is that they have trouble rushing the passer - Arden Key and Maurice Hurst were great in college, but that hasn't translated to the NFL yet. Clelin Ferrell was a major reach at #4 overall and has a ways to go. The LB group was awful last year, though it appears Burfict is playing better so far.
The pass defense has already taken a major blow - 1st round rookie safety Jonathan Abram is out for the year with a shoulder injury. That means Curtis Riley and Erik Harris will rotate at safety, and hopefully the Vikings passing attack can take advantage of this. Their CB group isn't very impressive, either, as Gareon Conley shouldn't be a #1 CB right now and Daryl Worley shouldn't be starting. Nickel safety hybrid Lamarcus Joyner is a quality player who's had a successful career with the Rams before hitting free agency. Karl Joseph was nearly ousted by Gruden & Co, but then they realized he's a pretty good player.
Prediction: Vikings 26, Raiders 13
Zimmer & Cousins win almost every game against a poor opponent at home. I understand people are still scarred by that performance against the Bills last year, but that was the only time the Vikings lost a game to a losing team since 2016. The Raiders are heavily outgunned and out-coached, and if the Vikings lose this one, it'll be time to get out the defcon alarm.
Alright, what are your thoughts on this game?
Vikings
Out: Mackensie Alexander
Questionable: Pat Elflein, Ben Gedeon, Anthony Barr and Mike Hughes
Raiders:
Out: G Gabe Jackson, WR Dwayne Harris
Questionable: RT Trent Brown, LB Vontaze Burfict, DT Corey Liuget, DT P.J. Hall, G Denzelle Good, CB/S Lamarcus Joyner
Out: Mackensie Alexander
Questionable: Pat Elflein, Ben Gedeon, Anthony Barr and Mike Hughes
Raiders:
Out: G Gabe Jackson, WR Dwayne Harris
Questionable: RT Trent Brown, LB Vontaze Burfict, DT Corey Liuget, DT P.J. Hall, G Denzelle Good, CB/S Lamarcus Joyner
* My thoughts *
The Raiders roster definitely has the look of a rebuilding team that's in Year 2. I can't say for sure if Derek Carr is going to be the QB of the future... he hasn't been the same player since his breakout 2016 campaign. Even against the Chiefs poor defense last week, he put up just 10 points. Part of that is because he doesn't have much to throw to. With Antonio Brown checking out of town, Tyrell Williams is one of the NFL's weakest #1 WRs. He barely cut it as a #2 in LA last year. Ryan Grant and Hunter Renfrow should not be factors. Young TE Darren Waller has looked really good so far, the former 6th round pick looks really fast for a TE.
The main threat of this offense will be Josh Jacobs, one of three 1st round rookies that Oakland has. He's already ran for 184 yards and they're going to ride him like a feature back (despite being in a 3 way rotation back at Alabama). He may not be at 100% due to a sickness (where he reported has lost 10 pounds) and a hip problem. The Raiders O-line welcomes back mentally-unstable G Richie Incognito from a suspension, though it's been 2 years since he's last played. Hudson and Brown are stud O-linemen. Denzelle Good will likely start in Gabe Jackson's place, and he'll likely be a liability against the Vikings' D-line. I'm surprised they kept Kolton Miller at LT despite making Trent Brown the highest paid tackle of all time. He was atrocious there last season, though his play is beginning to improve.
The Raiders defense haven't been graded well by PFF, especially the front seven. They've stopped the run well in their first two games against Denver and Kansas City, but the Vikings are going to challenge them with Dalvin Cook. A major problem with this team is that they have trouble rushing the passer - Arden Key and Maurice Hurst were great in college, but that hasn't translated to the NFL yet. Clelin Ferrell was a major reach at #4 overall and has a ways to go. The LB group was awful last year, though it appears Burfict is playing better so far.
The pass defense has already taken a major blow - 1st round rookie safety Jonathan Abram is out for the year with a shoulder injury. That means Curtis Riley and Erik Harris will rotate at safety, and hopefully the Vikings passing attack can take advantage of this. Their CB group isn't very impressive, either, as Gareon Conley shouldn't be a #1 CB right now and Daryl Worley shouldn't be starting. Nickel safety hybrid Lamarcus Joyner is a quality player who's had a successful career with the Rams before hitting free agency. Karl Joseph was nearly ousted by Gruden & Co, but then they realized he's a pretty good player.
Prediction: Vikings 26, Raiders 13
Zimmer & Cousins win almost every game against a poor opponent at home. I understand people are still scarred by that performance against the Bills last year, but that was the only time the Vikings lost a game to a losing team since 2016. The Raiders are heavily outgunned and out-coached, and if the Vikings lose this one, it'll be time to get out the defcon alarm.
Alright, what are your thoughts on this game?
... and neither is this Chris guy.