Oakland Raiders: Ranking 2018 games from least to most difficult
By Kevin Saito
Week 11: @Arizona Cardinals (12)
By the time this game rolls around, we very well may be seeing Josh Rosen under center for the Cardinals. Most seem to think that either injury or ineffectiveness will have sidelined Sam Bradford by week eleven.
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Defensively, we can probably expect to see a team that’s solid. That makes plays, and makes it difficult for opposing offenses to move the ball and put points up on the board. The Raiders are going to have to take advantage of opportunities when the arise.
Whoever is under center though, the Cardinals have a real problem – a distinct lack of offensive playmakers. It will more or less be a two-man show on offense for Arizona – David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald.
While both are explosive and dominant, they can’t carry the load for the team all on their own. Oh, they’ll do some damage, to be sure, but if the Raiders defense can play halfway competent ball, they should be able to limit that damage.
Whether it’s Rosen or Bradford under center, expect DC Paul Guenther to throw everything he can at a suspect offensive line to get either Rosen or Bradford off their spots, and make their lives as miserable as possible.
Week 2: @Denver Broncos (11)
The Raiders travel to the Mile High City for their second game of the season. Playing in the thin air in Denver can sometimes be an issue, but, the good thing about this game being schedule this early in the season, is that the Raiders won’t have to deal with the elements. By and large, October in Colorado is a lot different then December or January in Colorado.
Denver is going to have some issues this season, with some question marks on that offensive line, as well as the lack of a solid, reliable running game. Devontae Booker, who will be given his first shot as the team’s primary back, will lead the charge.
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Rookie Royce Freeman should be a nice addition to the backfield, but Denver’s running game has plenty of questions to answer.
Defensively, you can expect the front seven to still be tough. But, the Broncos have some questions that also need answers – specifically, how will they cope with the loss of Aqib Talib. Talib, as bush league as he can be, is a solid cover corner and helped hold that secondary together. If Bradley Roby and Chris Harris can’t play at that same level, Denver could be in some trouble.