Oakland Raiders: Key Matchups Worth Watching vs. Cleveland Browns
By Kevin Saito
Sep 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin (11) returns for a punt for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Oakland’s Special Teams vs. Travis Benjamin
Oakland’s special teams have had some good moments and some not so good moments so far in 2015. But they need to tip that balance and make sure they are having far more good moments than bad. In fact, they need to eliminate the not so good moments completely, if at all possible.
They have a tough task ahead of them in Cleveland’s top tier punt return man, Travis Benjamin. In seven punt return attempts this season, Benjamin has amassed 164 yards and has taken one back for a touchdown. Over his seven punt return, he’s averaging a very healthy 23.4 yards. Which makes him an incredibly dangerous weapon.
Oakland has its own weapon in the kicking game with Marquette King. He booms punts that have a tremendous hang time. That can help neutralize Benjamin by giving the return team the time it needs to get down the field and take him down.
But with a returner as dangerous as Benjamin, nothing is for certain. The Raiders absolutely, positively must get to Benjamin early, make sure they wrap him up, and bring him down. Their defenders have to take the right angles, not overpursue, and make sure tackles.
The Raiders have enough problems on defense, with giving up yards in big chunks, and with not being able to make stops when they need them. The last thing they need is to give up field position because their special teams unit can’t make a sure tackle and bring Benjamin down.
They need to be sure to hold Benjamin far below his season average.