PLAYER NOTES
–LG Kelechi Osemele, who missed the Chargers game with a bad knee, did not practice Wednesday and head coach Jon Gruden termed him questionable. Gruden said if Osemele isn’t ready to play against Seattle, the Raiders will again go with Jon Feliciano, who fessed up to giving up a sack against Los Angeles.
–DL Frostee Rucker, who left the Chargers game with a neck injury, missed practice Wednesday.
–LT Kolton Miller, who had a rough day against the Chargers by giving up two sacks, was limited in Wednesday’s practice.
–S Karl Joseph was limited at practice Wednesday (hamstring). Joseph, used mostly as a blitzer, was injured in Week 3 vs. Miami.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: LT Kolton Miller. The first-round draft pick was having a decent season – yielding a sack only to Denver’s Von Miller until Sunday. But he gave up two sacks and had a rough time against the Chargers. It was revealed after the game that he played on a sprained knee and he was limited in practice Wednesday. Some stats gave him three sacks, but left guard Jon Feliciano said one was on him. Feliciano was playing for injured Kelechi Osemele who didn’t practice again Wednesday so Feliciano may line up next to Miller again.
GAME PLAN: On offense, the Raiders should try to slow down the Seahawks by running Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin. When they pass, the Raiders will try to create a mismatch with tight end Jared Cook, who leads the team with 30 catches for 390 yards. Depending on how Seattle reacts, quarterback Derek Carr will see who gets the least attention on defense, Amari Cooper or Jordy Nelson.
On defense, the Raiders will have their hands full with mobile quarterback Russell Wilson. Oakland’s only viable pass rusher was Khalil Mack and he is having an All-Pro season in Chicago. Even more dangerous than Russell’s mobility is his smart play, which takes advantage of mistakes, something the Raiders have done with regularity on defense.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Raiders RB Marshawn Lynch vs. Seahawks MLB Bobby Wagner. They were teammates for four seasons and will line up opposite each other in different uniforms for the first time Sunday. Lynch is among league leaders in broken tackles, reminiscent of his Beast Mode days in Seattle. Wagner is one of the best tackling linebackers in the NFL. If they meet on the field during the game, it won’t be friendly.
–Seahawks QB Russell Wilson vs. Raiders front seven. Keeping Wilson in the pocket is often – not always – preferable because he rivals Aaron Rodgers with his ability to make things happen outside the pocket. Through five games this season, Wilson has 1,086 yards passing and 10 touchdowns, while throwing three interceptions. The Raiders have trouble against mobile quarterbacks, so this could get nasty. Second-year linebacker Marquel Lee is agile and athletic while linebacker Tahir Whitehead leads the team with 37 combined tackles.
