RAIDERS VS. TITANS
SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET, NISSAN STADIUM, NASHVILLE uTV: CBS, DIRECTV 709
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson
About the Raiders: After their return to the postseason in 2016, the hype that used to perennially surround the Raiders has returned. Oakland is a threat to win every week with veteran head coach and QB
looking for WRs and downfield. The Raiders won on the road in New Orleans to open their 12-4 campaign last season and never looked back, starting 10-2. They defeated Tennessee 17-10 in Week 3 and might have played deep into the postseason had Carr not broken his leg in Week 16. Oakland has added the bruising running of to its offense.
About the Titans: There’s a new buzz in Nashville around the Titans and a growing belief that the team will finally find its way back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2008 season. But after making a giant leap forward to go 9-7 in 2016 (their first winning season since 2011), the Titans are poised to make a push for the AFC South title. The defense has added and to its secondary, and if QB gets hot and the running game behind RBs and
can get rolling like it did for much of 2016, don’t be surprised if Tennessee finds a way to take the division crown.
Both rookies were first-round picks who missed nearly all of training camp and the preseason with injuries. Conley dealt with an unspecified leg injury, while Davis had a lingering ham- The Raiders hope Marshawn Lynch will be the bruising running back of old.
string strain. If the two come face-to-face in their first NFL game, they’ll have similar disadvantages after missing so much time. Tennessee needs its passing game to keep Oakland honest against the run, while the Raiders’ secondary has the ability to shut it down.
The five-time Pro Bowler is back from a year of retirement, so there is uncertainty, especially considering he was limited to seven games by an abdomi-
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
nal injury in his previous NFL season (2015). That year, he averaged 3.8 yards per carry, his lowest average since 2010. He’s going up against a Titans defense that allowed the fifthfewest rushing touchdowns in the league last season.
The Raiders defense allowed 6.1 yards per play last season, most in the NFL. Offensively, the Titans ranked 11th in the league with 5.7 yards per play.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Offensive line play: Whether it’s protecting Carr or opening holes for Lynch, the Oakland offensive line with be huge in this game. Tennessee’s defensive line is strong and big and particularly good against the run. The Titans allowed 4.0 yards per carry last season, 12th in the NFL.
2. Pressuring Mariota: The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, DE
will be in the corner of Mariota’s eye at all times, but the Raiders also need consistent pressure elsewhere, especially up the middle, where they struggled in the preseason.
3. Protecting the ball: Both teams are stingy. The Raiders turned the ball over 14 times last season, fourth best in the league, while the Titans had 18 turnovers.
4. Third-down conversions: In their 17-10 loss to Oakland last year, the Titans converted two of 12 third downs, while the Raiders went 5-for-13. Those crucial plays — along with a key turnover — could decide what is likely to be a close game.
Jordan Godwin