PLAYER NOTES
–WR Martavis Bryant (knee) did not take part in the Wednesday practice.
–CB Leon Hall (back) did not take part in the Wednesday practice.
–C Rodney Hudson (ankle) was limited in the Wednesday practice.
–LG Kelechi Osemele (knee) was limited in the Wednesday practice.
–LT Kolton Miller (knee)was limited in the Wednesday practice
–WR Jordy Nelson (knee) was limited in the Wednesday practice.
–RB Doug Martin (ankle) was limited in the Wednesday practice.
GAME PLAN: After scoring their first touchdowns in nine quarters in the victory over Arizona last week, the Raiders’ offense will need to step up even more. Baltimore ranks tied for first in total points allowed (181), limiting opponents to 18.1 points per game. The Ravens also rank first in total yards allowed (300 avg.), second in pass yards allowed (205.4 average) and third in rushing yards allowed (94.6 average).
With No. 1 running back Doug Martin gimped by a bad ankle and receivers Jordy Nelson and Martavis Bryant also injured, the pressure will be on quarterback Derek Carr to pull the rabbit out of the hat. He has pass-catching running back Jalen Richard (51 catches) and hybrid tight end Jared Cook (45 catches) and must make the best of it, albeit behind a line that is also banged up.
On defense, the Raiders have showed steady improvement, setting the pace with two interceptions last week. The key will be to contain rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson as a runner without abandoning too much coverage. After running 27 times for more than 100 yards in his debut last week, Jackson says he wants to throw more and give receivers opportunities.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Raiders rebound WR Keon Hatcher. Originally signed by Oakland as an undrafted free agent out of Arkansas in 2017, Hatcher caught three touchdowns in the 2018 preseason finale and made the so-called final roster. But he was waived when the team re-signed Martavis Bryant. Now with Bryant sidelined by a knee injury, the team regained Hatcher by signing him off the Green Bay practice squad. Hatcher has decent size and average speed (6-1, 212, 4.6 in 40 yards), but has improved steadily through camps with Raiders and Packers.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Raiders Ts Kolton Miller and Brandon Parker vs. Ravens LBs Za’Darius Smith and Terrell Suggs. The Raiders tackles are rookies – Miller a first-round pick from UCLA and Parker, a third-rounder from North Carolina A&T. Miller displaced veteran Donald Penn in preseason on the left side, then when Penn went on IR, Parker stepped in on the right side. Miller has fought valiantly all season despite a lame knee and Parker has a ways to go. Smith and Suggs are tied with a team-high 5.5 sacks.
–Raiders LBs Tahir Whitehead and Marquel Lee vs. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. OK, maybe it will take more than a couple of linebackers to keep this blink-quick quarterback in check as a runner and uncomfortable as a passer. Whitehead is Oakland’s most consistent tackler, leading the team in eight games. In practice this week, the Raiders used practice-squad defensive back Rico Gafford (4.25 seconds in 40 yards) to mimic the mayhem caused by Jackson’s speed. Maybe they should activate Gafford and deploy him as a spy.
