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The Ravens will head to Oakland for a Week 5 showdown with the rising Oakland Raiders
Raiders key additions: OT Marshall Newhouse, WR Cordarrelle Patterson, QB E.J. Manuel, LB Jelani Jenkins, HB Marshawn Lynch, TE Jared Cook
Raiders key losses: LB Malcolm Smith, DT Stacy McGee, S Brynden Trawick, S Nate Allen, RT Menelik Watson, CB D.J. Hayden, HB Latavius Murray, WR Andre Holmes, TE Mychal Rivera, QB Matt McGloin, DT Dan Williams.
Draft picks: CB Gareon Conley, DB Obi Melifonwu, DT Eddie Vanderdoes, OT David Sharpe, LB Marquel Lee, S Shalom Luani, OT Jylan Ware, HB Elijah Hood, DT Treyvon Hester.
Why they'll lose to the Ravens:
Even with the emergence of Derek Carr, the Ravens have played the Raiders tight, losing by only one point in 2016. Despite Carr’s four touchdown passes, he only had 199 yards passing on 35 attempts. The Raiders have a stout offense with a growing offensive line and the addition of Lynch, but the Ravens have revamped their defense to crush offenses that want to go deep on them. Tony Jefferson and Eric Weddle form one of the league’s best safety tandems to help stop the Raiders through the air and Brandon Williams who is arguably the league’s best run stuffer. Factor in the Raiders young secondary going against Baltimore’s speedy and agile receiving corps and you have a recipe for success.
Why they'll beat the Ravens
The Raiders offense is LOADED! Marshawn Lynch was injured his last year playing, but you can't rule out his impact, especially behind an offensive line that was one of the best in the league in 2016. The Ravens may have a dynamic duo at safety, but they're questionable at CB with a rookie, veteran and solid player that has proven he is unable to stay healthy. Factor in that the Ravens will be flying across to the West coast for this game and it could get ugly. The Raiders defense has budding stars as well that could make this game tough for Joe Flacco and company, especially if Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin can replicate the success they had against Baltimore last year. If the Ravens defense can't get off the field, then they may get blown away for the second week in a row.
Poll
How will the Ravens/Raiders matchup go?
This poll is closed
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63%
Raiders win
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36%
Ravens win