Oakland Raiders: Keys To Victory Over New York Jets

Oct 25, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders tight end Clive Walford (88) comes off the field after the Raiders beat the San Diego Chargers 37-29 at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Mix In The Two Headed Beast

The Patriots had a lot of success against that Jets defense when they got together. Or rather, Tom Brady had a lot of success against Tom Brady. He spread the ball all over the place, completing passes to eight different receivers. While Derek Carr is no Tom Brady, to put his team in a position to win, he is going to have to emulate Brady against the Jets.

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One thing that Carr and the Raiders absolutely must consider is unleashing their two headed beast in Mychal Rivera and Clive Walford.

If there was one weakness that Brady exploited to tremendous effect against the New York defense, it was getting the ball to Rob Gronkowski. For the game, Brady targeted Gronkowski an amazing 16 times, with the big tight end hauling in 11 of those passes for 108 yards and a touchdown.

Gronkowski is certainly a unique talent, there is no denying that. But in Rivera and Walford, the Raiders have to big, strong, fast, and talented pass catching tight ends.

Obviously, Gronkowski posed some match up problems for the Jets that the Patriots were able to exploit to great effect. Rivera and Walford pose the same sort of match up problems for that Jets defense and is something the Raiders absolutely need to exploit.

With Revis and Cromartie likely to be shadowing Cooper and Michael Crabtree, Rivera and Walford may find themselves with some room to run, covered by linebackers who may not be able to keep up with them. It’s an advantage and a possible crack in the wall Oakland absolutely needs to jump on and ride – and then keep riding it until New York finds a way to stop it.

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