The Baltimore Ravens welcome the Las Vegas Raiders to town for the Ravens home openers. Both teams are coming off week one losses as the Raiders fell to the Los Angeles Chargers 22-10, as the Raiders allowed former Raven J.K. Dobbins to rush for 135 yards on 10 carries. While the Ravens fell to the Kansas City Chiefs 27-20 on the NFL’s opening night.
The Ravens have already ruled out first-round cornerback Nate Wiggins (neck), Wiggins reportedly was in a car accident this week, but as Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said the rookie should be “fine” despite missing this week. Linebacker Adisa Issac (hamstring) is listed as doubtful and is expected to miss his second straight week. Fellow linebacker Kyle Van Noy who fractured his orbital bone last week in Kansas City practiced only once in limited capacity on Friday and is listed as questionable.
As for the Raiders they enter Sundays contest without cornerback back Decameerion RIchardson (hamstring) and defensive end Tyree Wilson (knee) as both have been ruled out. Center Jackson Powers-Johnson (illness) was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable.
Players to Watch:
David Ojabo
Last week Ravens outside linebacker David Ojabo played in just his sixth career game in three years, as Ojabo has dealt with injuries limiting his ability to be on the field and a key contributing factor in this Ravens defense. Despite his limited playing when Ojabo is on the field he shows flashes that he can be a difference maker, as just last week he recorded a sack, the teams one of only two sacks in week one.
The key for Ojabo has always been health, but it will be interesting to watch as he progresses through the year, and how he performs on Sunday against a Raiders team that gave up four sacks last week.
Gardner Minshew
In his career Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew is 1-1 against the Ravens with his only win coming last season as a member of Indianapolis. Minshew is a fiery quarterback that is confident in his ability, and while he may not be the ideal NFL quarterback often put his teams in positions to win. Last week against the Chargers Minshew went 25-for-33 for 257 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Having seen what Minshew can do just last season, the Ravens defense will have to respect Minshew’s ability and find a way to force six-year quarterback into mistakes early and often, to avoid Minshew gaining any confidence.
Prediction
On paper it looks like a runaway game for the Ravens as they went toe-to-toe with the two time defending champs just one week ago, but the question looms if last week looms as it was such an emotional and hard fought game, if that will have any affect and lead to a possible let down against the Raiders. The Ravens will lean heavily on their run game this week as the Raiders surrendered 176 yards on the ground to the Chargers. Expect a big day from Ravens running back Derrick Henry, and a lot less running from quarterback Lamar Jackson.
The lack of offensive weapons for the Raiders compared to that of the Chiefs will be a much easier test for the Ravens defense and defensive coordinator Zach Orr as we continue to see the first year coordinator adjust to calling the defense. Head coach John Harbaugh is 14-2 in home openers, so expect that number to go up to 15 as the Ravens win 34-20.
Line: Baltimore -8
Over/Under: 41.5
All-Time Record: Baltimore leads series 8-4
Last Meeting: 9/13/21 Las Vegas 33-27 (OT)
The post Preview: Ravens Look to Rebound Against Raiders appeared first on Marylandsportsblog.com.