Oakland Raiders v. Seattle Seahawks: Live Game Day Open Thread

The Oakland Raiders are in jolly old England to take on Seattle – this is your place to talk about the game and all things Raiders football.

Well, pip pip, cheerio, and all that guff. The Oakland Raiders are across the pond, enjoying the Queen’s hospitality, as they get set to square off with a one-time AFC West foe in the Seattle Seahawks.

Seattle is starting to come on strong after am 0-2 start to their season, winning two of their last three. And they’re doing it on the strength of a punishing running game that is averaging better than 120 yards a game on the ground, and ranks eighth overall in the NFL.

Which is a problem for a Raiders run defense that’s giving up well over 120 yards on the ground per game. Though, they’ve played well in bursts, the Raiders run defense has been gashed for big play, after big play, after big play.

More from Golden Gate Sports

• Raiders: Rookie stock report following Week 3 performance
• 49ers sign new long snapper amidst a flurry of roster moves
• Oakland Athletics win Game 2 of Wild Card round with late-inning drama
• 49ers: George Kittle and Deebo Samuel cleared to return to practice
• 49ers expected to place DE Dee Ford on injured reserve

Oakland’s struggles containing the big plays can be epitomized by such things as Cleveland rookie running back Nick Chubb going off for 105 yards and a pair of scores – on three carries. Or perhaps, the 44-yard catch and scoring run by Los Angeles’ Austin Ekeler last week. Or maybe the 74-yard scoring toss from Ryan Tannehill to Albert Wilson against Miami. Or maybe…

Okay, you get the point. Oakland’s defense looks really good in stretches, but then they give up a huge chunk play – which often results in a score – that ends up being a back breaker. At least, they do that when quarterback Derek Carr isn’t throwing a costly interception in the red zone – something he’s done five times this season (with a mind-boggling three in the endzone).

The Raiders come into the game sitting at 1-4. Their season is teetering on the brink. And right now, Seattle has its hand on the plug of that life support machine. If the Raiders lose this game, they’ll be 1-5, and pretty much playing for next season already.

However, if they can somehow eke out a win, they’ll be 2-4, with two very winnable games against Indianapolis and San Francisco on the horizon. If they can establish a little momentum and get the ship moving in the right direction, who knows would could happen?

This is the NFL after all, weird things happen all the time.

But, they’re going to have some obstacles to overcome. First, is their history in international play. They sport a 1-2 record (0-1 in England, after getting blown out by Miami in 2014), and have been outscored 91-49 in those three contests. For whatever reason, the Raiders don’t travel overseas that well, and they’re going to need to find a way to get over that, PDQ.

Second, are the injuries. The offensive line, once seen as a strength, is suddenly a big, fat question mark. With Donald Penn on the shelf – and his Raiders career likely over – they’ll be starting a pair of rookies in Kolton Miller and Brandon Parker on the edges.

They did “okay” last week, but still gave up three sacks to a Joey Bosa-less Chargers unit.

Added to that pile of misery is the fact that standout guard Kelechi Osemele will miss his second straight game with a knee injury, meaning Jon Feliciano will get the nod again. Despite a very costly red zone penalty, Feliciano didn’t do a bad job. But, he’s no Osemele.

If there is good news for the Raiders, it’s that Seattle’s second leading sack man, Mychal Kendricks is out, after having been suspended indefinitely for his role in an insider trading scheme. Also out will be linebacker K.J. Wright, who can be a force.

Seattle will also be without defensive ends Dion Jordan, Rasheem Green, and tight end Nick Vannett, among others.

For the Raiders, Osemele is joined on the inactives list by CB Nick Nelson, S Karl Joseph, DT Frostee Rucker, and lineman Ian Silberman, as well as a few others.

There is a lot on the line for both teams in this game, and both absolutely have to have it. Unfortunately, at the end of the day, only one of them will. Who will it be?

What are the biggest storylines of the week to you? What gives you a sense of hope? And what concerns you the most about this game? And most importantly, how do you see this all playing out?

This is your virtual soapbox to talk about the game, and all things Raiders football. So, step on up, call your shot, speak out, and make your voice heard.