There’s good and bad to Oakland-Miami tilt
There have been some classic games between the Oakland Raiders and Miami Dolphins. While today’s meeting doesn’t carry the weight of a playoff contest between two powers, it does brings plenty of intrigue.
Such as: Are the Dolphins (2-0) really good, and are the Raiders (0-2) pretty bad?
The answers will come over the next few weeks, but this could be a strong indicator of where each team is headed in 2018.
Miami has been winning the field position battle, is tied for the NFL lead with five interceptions — the Dolphins had nine all last year — and has allowed only seven points in four red-zone possessions by opponents. Healthy quarterback Ryan Tannehill is 9-1 in his past 10 starts (he missed the 2017 season with a knee injury).
Meanwhile, the Raiders are allowing 5.7 yards per rush, worst in the league. They are tied for last with only one takeaway and have all of two sacks. Did someone say they miss
Khalil Mack?
Yet the key could be when Oakland has the ball and whether it can generate anything against a defense that plays most everybody who suits up.
“The addition of (defensive end Robert) Quinn is huge,” said Raiders coach
Jon Gruden, whose return to the sideline had Raiders fans all giddy before the Mack trade and the two defeats.
“He has given them supreme effort opposite Cameron Wake. And they have a
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very good unit inside that can generate pressure as well. It’s a combination of new players, new energy and the scheme. It’s fun to watch them.”
Maybe not for Derek Carr, the quarterback who has to face them.
Steelers guard out
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without All-Pro guard David DeCastro for a second straight week when they visit Tampa Bay tomorrow night.
DeCastro is still recovering from a fractured right hand suffered during Pittsburgh’s Week 1 tie against Cleveland. B.J. Finney will start in DeCastro’s place.
DeCastro isn’t the only offensive linemen hurting. Right tackle Marcus Gilbert is doubtful with a hamstring issue. Matt Feiler will start if Gilbert does not play.
Titans pair will sit
The Tennessee Titans will be without linebacker Kamalei Correa and safety Kendrick Lewis against the Jaguars.
The Titans downgraded both Correa and Lewis to out yesterday.
Correa was added to the injury report Wednesday with a back issue. He did not practice Friday and had been listed as questionable. Lewis has missed the first two games with a foot injury that had him questionable Friday.