Oakland Raiders: A few keys to week one victory over the LA Rams

ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden looks on during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden looks on during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Oakland Raiders
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 18: Chris Warren #34 of the Oakland Raiders eludes John Kelly #42 of the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of a preseason game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Control The Clock

This a big one. The way for the Raiders to win is to not give the Rams a chance.

Los Angeles had the most explosive offense last season, and this season it’s only going to be more so. With a year in Sean McVay’s system, and a plethora of weapons to choose from, the Rams can score from anywhere, at any time – as they’ve proven time and time again.

A Few Bold-ish Predictions For Raiders 2018 Season. light. Read Also

The best way to prevent themselves from getting steamrolled, is for the Raiders to not give that Rams offense much of a chance on the field. Which means, they’re going to need to extend drives and control the clock. They need to utilize every second possible to keep Goff and company on the sidelines.

Which means, they’re going to need to feed them a steady diet of Marshawn Lynch and the running attack. Which also means, the offensive line is going to have to be on point. It’s critical.

The Raiders best strategy is to fill the game with long, time consuming drives that result in points. It will not only keep the Los Angeles offense on the sidelines, it will also wear down the Rams defense – both big pluses – and necessities to combat the Rams’ high-octane offense.

The Raiders will need to grind it out to keep the Rams at bay. They’ll need to convert third downs, extend drives, and take as much time off the clock as the possibly can. It would go a long way toward securing a win.