Oakland Raiders: Keys To Victory Over Baltimore Ravens

September 13, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders fullback Marcel Reece (45) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Bengals defeated the Raiders 33-13. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland Raiders, fresh of a thorough thumping at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals in week one have another challenge staring them in the face – the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens handled their business and very nearly pulled off a road stunner in the Mile High City, losing a tough game to Peyton Manning and the Broncos. Most expect a fired up Baltimore team to win this game – but the Raiders may have something to say about that.

After putting in a performance that was vintage 2014 – no offense, no defense, and generally speaking, no clue – the Raiders must now square off against a Ravens team that is always a tough out. Since their inception in 1996, the Raiders and Ravens have met eight times, with Baltimore coming away with seven wins in the series – their last meeting coming November 2012, which resulted in a 55-20 beatdown by Baltimore.

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Obviously, it’s a trend the Raiders would like to not just stop, but reverse. Though, the Ravens are obviously a tough team to try and right your ship against.

Most people would suggest that, given Oakland’s performance in the opening week, the Ravens will walk away winners. They would say the mere suggestion that the Raiders could somehow pull off the upset and send Baltimore to an 0-2 record to start the season is preposterous. After watching Oakland against Cincinnati last week, the chants of “same old Raiders” could be heard from sea to shining sea.

But this is a new week and a chance to start a new life for the Raiders. The NFL is funny that way – teams can be at the very bottom of the barrel one week and come back the following week to play like champions. There is a reason the phrase “any given Sunday” exists, after all.

It won’t be anything remotely close to easy, but the Raiders have the talent and ability to shake off an ugly week one loss, right their ship, and get back to doing something we haven’t seen in a very long time – playing Raider football.

But it’s going to take some work. Here are some keys to a victory over the Ravens…

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