Sunday should be a pretty good matchup between the Raiders and Saints. The Raiders are 2-0 and the Saints are 1-1 and took their season opener in Detroit to overtime. Both teams are feeling pretty good about things. Offering some causes for concern for the Raiders, but also offering plenty of reasons for optimism. This one is about the latter.
1. Brock Bowers potential return
Bowers returned to practice this week for the team, giving the Raiders their top target. He missed practice on Friday, though head coach Klint Kubiak said that was always the plan. If he's truly back, and at 100%, he adds another dynamic to this Raiders offense.
The Saints have also struggled some to stop tight ends thus far this season, and along with Bowers, the Raiders will also have a solid target in Michael
Mayer to give the Saints defense plenty to deal with.
The Raiders went 2-0 without Brock Bowers in the lineup. Which just make them feel pretty good about their chances with him back on the field.
2. Raiders should dominate ground game
There is every reason to think the Raiders will dominate the ground game. Which would also suggest the time of possession. Two of the Saints' bigger issues this season have been running the ball and stopping the run. The Raiders duo of Ashton Jeanty and Mike Washington Jr looked great in the season opener against the Dolphins. They struggled against the Chargers last Sunday, but the Chargers were selling out to stop it and ended up giving up some big chunk plays downfield as a result. If the Raiders can wear the Saints down on the ground and bleed the clock, they will limit their ability to mount a late comeback like they have in the first two games.
3. Suspect Saints offensive tackles
Left tackle Kelvin Banks is lost for the season. He suffered a sprained ankle in Week 2 and was placed on injured reserve. He will be replaced by Asim Richards. Right tackle Taliese Fuaga has had his issues as well since moving back to right tackle. And he will have a tough assignment in Maxx Crosby. Last week Crosby had Charger first round RT Joe Alt seeing ghosts all game long, ultimately giving up a safety on a holding penalty. The Raiders' pass rush has been stout overall thus far and they should have a favorable matchup in this one.
See the 3 causes for concern for the Raiders vs Saints
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: 3 reasons for optimism for Raiders vs Saints
