Will the Lions spoil return to Oakland?
The last thing the Raiders want to see in their first game in Oakland in nearly three months is for Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford to make himself at home come Sunday.
The problem is Stafford has been nearly unstoppable during a renaissance of sorts for the 11th-year pro, whose name is even creeping into the outskirts of MVP conversations. His big day helped the Lions beat the Giants 31-26 on Sunday as Stafford threw for more than 340 yards and three touchdowns for the third time this season.
And when one considers some of the Raiders’ troubles on defense — they’ve allowed the second-most touchdown passes (19) in the NFL, second-worst percentage of opponents’ drives for a score in the AFC (44 percent) and fourth-highest QB rating (115.5) — it’s easy to envision the potential for a long afternoon.
Here’s a closer look at what to look for when the teams meet: GAME ESSENTIALS >> Raiders (3-4) vs. Lions (3-3-1) at Oakland Coliseum, Sunday at 1:05 p.m., on FOX. ODDS: Raiders -2.
THREE REASONS FOR RAIDERS’ OPTIMISM:
STAGE SET FOR JACOBS? >> Raiders standout rookie Josh Jacobs would seem primed for a big game against a Lions defense that’s had issues against the run. The Lions may have come up with their best game of the season against the run, but they’re still ranked 26th against the run while permitting 130.7 rushing yards per game. Saquon Barkley and the Giants had just 80 yards on the ground against a Detroit defense that had allowed more than 100 yards in each game this season. Jacobs, second in the AFC in rushing yards (620) behind the Browns’ Nick Chubb (738), needs 78 yards Sunday to break the Raiders’ alltime rookie rushing record set by Marcus Allen’s 697 yards in 1982. SECONDARY A PRIMARY CONCERN >> In the last two weeks, the Lions’ defense has been torched for more than 300 yards and four touch
down passes by the Giants’ Daniel Jones and the Vikings’ Kirk Cousins. There are reasons to believe Derek Carr will find similar success, especially considering the uncertainty surrounding some Lions defensive backs. After Carr beat Gareon Conley for a TD in Houston, he could target another ex-Raider in Rashaan Melvin. It worked for the Giants’ Jones, who targeted Melvin four times and completed all four for 70 yards and three TDs. It’s possible none of Detroit’s top three defensive backs at the start of the season will play Sunday. In addition, their leading tackler Tracy Walker is day-to-day with a knee injury he suffered Sunday. The absence of Walker, who is generally used to cover opposing tight ends, could prove costly against the Raiders and their emerging tight end Darren Waller.
A RUNDOWN RUSHING ATTACK >> Even with standout running back Kerryon Johnson, the Lions ranked just 23rd in the NFL in rushing. Now the second-year back from Auburn is on injured reserve after undergoing knee surgery, leaving the Lions’ rushing game rather depleted. Coach Matt Patricia’s running back by committee didn’t work Sunday. The trio of Tra Carson (12 carries, 34 yards), Ty Johnson (seven carries, 25 yards) and Paul Perkins (three carries, four yards) gained just 62 yards against the Giants. It may be difficult to expect much out of this group against the Raiders, who have the fourth-best rush defense this season.
THREE REASONS FOR RAIDERS’ PESSIMISM: GOLLADAY CAN’T SEEM TO BE STOPPED >> Trying to slow down emerging wide receiver Kenny Golladay could be a real challenge for the uneven Raiders secondary. The 6-foot-4 Golladay had a huge day in Detroit’s win over the Giants with six catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns. His big game gave the Lions a 100-yard receiver for the seventh straight game. Golladay, who is in a five-way tie for the NFL lead with six touchdown catches, leads the Lions with 508 yards.
LACK OF PRESSURE >> Even though the Lions have allowed 13 sacks the past four games, there isn’t a lot of evidence the Raiders can
continue to take Stafford to the turf. The Raiders have the worst pressure percentage (number of quarterback hurries, knockdowns or sacks) in the NFL. They are last in the league in quarterback hurries (11) and knockdowns (10), and 27th in sacks (13). Don’t look for the Raiders to try blitzing Stafford — only three teams have blitzed less than Oakland — and even if they did, it may not work. The Giants blitzed Stafford eight times, sacking him twice. However, according to Pro Football Focus, Stafford went 6 for 6 for 123 yards and a touchdown for a perfect passing rating of 158.3 against the other six Giants blitzes. FLOWERS FINALLY BLOOMING >> Trey Flowers showed signs of being the disruptive player the Lions thought they were getting when they signed him to a five-year, $90 million contract ($56 million guaranteed) to leave the Patriots. The former All-Pro with New England had two sacks against the Giants, twice as many as he had in his first six games with Detroit. Both of his sacks came in the fourth quarter with the Lions trying to hold onto their lead. Flowers also forced a fumble, which means he’ll probably be a focus of the Raiders’ protection plan Sunday.
PROBABLE DIFFERENCEMAKER: MATTHEW STAFFORD
>> Stafford turned in a passer rating over 100.0 for the fourth time this season by going 25 of 32 for 342 yards, three touchdowns and an interception against New York for a 129.4 rating. He was at his best when he was needed the most, going 12 for 12 for 148 yards and two touchdowns in the second half to key Detroit’s victory. His season passer rating of 105.3 is sixth-best in the NFL. Stafford also has thrown 16 touchdown passes (tied for second in the league) and just four interceptions, putting him on pace to finish with less than 10 picks in a full season for the first time in his career.
• The Raiders brought back veteran linebacker Brandon Marshall, signing the former Super Bowl champion to a free-agent contract. Marshall, who battled knee troubles and was cut by Oakland at the end of training camp, will give the Raiders some reinforcement at a thin position as they look to stop a two-game losing streak. It doesn’t hurt that Marshall is already acclimated to the Raiders’ defense from his time with them this summer.
To make room on the 53-man roster for the 30-year-old Marshall, the Raiders waived linebacker Justin Phillips with an injury settlement.