Here at the Raider Ramble, we continue to provide key game notes to track for each Oakland Raiders game throughout the season. This week at the Ramble, we take a look at the primetime matchup against the Washinton Redskins Sunday night September 24, at 8:30 pm ET.
A Closer Eye: Week 3 Raiders vs. Redskins
AMARI COOPERÂ
Through two games Raiders wide receiver, Amari Cooper only has 95 receiving yards and one touchdown reception, for an average of 47.5 yards a game. It will be interesting to see how the Redskins utilize their star cornerback Josh Norman, who has a shoulder ailment. Norman may end up on Cooper who has been slowed down with knee issues. Or we could see Norman on Michael Crabtree who has been more effective than Cooper through the first two weeks. Even though Cooper wasn’t needed to his usual extent against the Jets, he usually shines in the beginning of the season. Cooper’s four catch 33-yard performance against the porous Jets defense is alarming and may be a cause for concern.
Can the third year receiver ever get it going this week and have more of an impact against a stout Redskins defense? We will find out Sunday night with the whole country watching.
NICHOLAS MORROW – VS – MARQUEL LEE Â
The inside linebacker position battle has become an interesting storyline to follow with Nicholas Morrow coming out on top, for now. If week two was an indicator, Morrow should get the nod as he made a strong impression during the first two contests of the season. While their total snap counts show extreme similarity with Marquel Lee tallying 31, to Morrow’s 29 a closer look proves that Morrow has jumped out as the heavy favorite. After Morrow only registered four snaps against the Titans, he saw his snaps increase by 25 against the Jets while Lee was on the opposite end. Lee had a decline from 21 snaps against the Titans to just 10 against the Jets. Seeing who gets more playing time and stands out against the Redskins balanced offense will be a key point of interest as the season progresses.
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RAIDERS’ DEFENSEÂ
This is going to be a big game for the Raiders defense, not only is it is cornerback David Amerson’s return to the team that drafted him but it’s also a chance to make a statement against a potent Redskins offense. Washington’s rushing attack of 146.5 yards per game which is third best in the NFL, Oakland’s run defense is going to be tested early and often. While the Redskins offense is ranked 24th overall with 178 yards per game, don’t sleep on their quarterback, Kirk Cousins.
Cousins is a solid quarterback who can make all the throws and has a high football IQ. If the Raiders can duplicate their efforts from the first two games they can put the NFL on notice that they are a force to be reckoned with and continue to improve upon their team defense ranking of fifteenth amongst their NFL counterparts.