Oakland Raiders: Ranking 2018 games from least to most difficult

Week 9: @San Francisco 49ers (10)

In quite possibly what might be the final matchup between the cross-Bay rivals, the game will feature two of the league’s brightest young stars in Derek Carr and Jimmy Garoppolo. It’s a game that should have a lot of emotion for both the teams, and fans alike – more so than usual.

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The passing game for San Francisco is going to take center stage, with Garoppolo flashing some tremendous ability. He’s also helped turn guys like Marquise Goodwin and Trent Taylor into very legitimate threats.

And with Pierre Garcon coming back from injury, and the addition of rookie Dante Pettis, San Francisco’s passing game will only get better.

The 49ers offensive line, though rebuilt with the addition of Weston Richburg and rookie Mike McGlinchey, teaming with stalwart Joe Staley, should be a lot better. But, there are still a few question marks that linger. Protecting the quarterback has been an issue in recent seasons, so we’ll need to wait and see if the new adds can provide better support.

There are also plenty of concerns to be had about the team’s running game – as Jerick McKinnon and Matt Breida are smaller backs, and it’s yet to be seen whether or not they can hold up as the team’s featured backs.

There’s also the question of defense. They’ve got some big bodies in Arik Armstead, Solomon Thomas, and DeForest Buckner, but either through injury or ineffectiveness, the 49ers don’t generate much of a pass rush. They have a dynamic defensive playmaker in Reuben Foster and Richard Sherman, but other than those two, it’s more like a collection of mixed up parts.

But, there is the power of Garoppolo and what should be a high flying offense – Oakland’s secondary will have to be on point.

Week 4: Cleveland Browns (9)

This game should be one of the more interesting on Oakland’s schedule this season – mainly because we don’t know what to expect from Cleveland. This is a team that, on paper, looks like it could be poised for a big turnaround. But then you remember, these are the Browns and Hue Jackson is still their head coach.

With Josh Gordon, Jarvis Landry, Antonio Callaway, and potentially, Dez Bryant in the mix, Cleveland’s passing game could be one of the most explosive and lethal in the entire league. Much of that depends on the performance of Tyrod Taylor and/or Baker Mayfield, of course, but the Browns have some legitimate threats in the passing offense.

Ditto that for a running game that is set to feature Carlos Hyde, Duke Johnson, and rookie Nick Chubb. Cleveland could have a very balanced offense that’s incredibly hard to contain.

They’ve also accumulated some playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. Guys like Christian Kirksey, Myles Garrett, Jamie Collins, Jabrill Peppers, and Denzel Ward, among others, could help make the Browns defense, a formidable one.

The pieces are in place for Cleveland to have a breakout year – as long as Hue Jackson can put all of those pieces together in a way that best utilizes them.