The Las Vegas Raiders host the Denver Broncos during Week 4 of the NFL season. Both teams have new coaches and players, but only one has been able to get off to the right start.
For the Raiders to get their first win of the season, they’ll need to play sound football for 60 minutes. Nothing is going to come easily, as it’s a divisional game. We have three matchups we are going to highlight prior to today’s matchup.
The battle of the head coaches
The battle starts at the helm with coaches Josh McDaniels and Nathaniel Hackett. One has been able to overcome the consistency and is 2-1, while the other hasn’t and is 0-3. Offensively, McDaniels is far ahead of Hackett, which doesn’t say much. McDaniels still hasn’t established consistent roles for his Raiders stars, which is leaving so many points and yards off the table. Hackett, on the other hand, can’t get anything going. Besides the rise of Courtland Sutton, there hasn’t been much to see for his offense.
On the defensive end, Hackett has the advantage. His defense has looked stout, thus fair, albeit they have faced inferior opponents. McDaniels and Co. only have a couple of bright spots on the defensive end.
Situational awareness and things of such sort are a wash. No real advantage. McDaniels’ Raiders team can’t seem to play 60 minutes of football, and Hackett’s clock management has been horrible. The coach who makes the least bone-headed calls and can get their team to play a full game will come out victorious.
Star wide receiver vs. star cornerback
There is a star-studded matchup on the outside during this game. Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders vs. Patrick Surtain II of the Denver Broncos. This is as exciting as any matchup we will see this weekend. A true number one wide receiver lining up against a true shutdown cornerback, both masters of their craft.
Adams will have to use his experience and savviness to get the best of Surtain II. While Raiders quarterback Derek Carr shies away from throwing into tight windows, this week it won’t get easier. He knows his top receiver will be covered well all night. Will he be willing to overcome this and get Adams going? That is the main worry with Adams going forward. It’s up to his quarterback to get him the ball. This matchup will be exciting and electric to watch.
Raiders’ star tight end vs. Broncos’ safetiesÂ
With Broncos star safety Justin Simmons out, Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller should be able to get back on track after a poor performance. Waller has 100 receiving yards in two of his last four matchups against the Broncos. That being said, it won’t come easy, but Waller has the advantage. He is facing safeties Caden Sterns and Kareem Jackson, both a step down from Simmons.
Waller’s ability to stretch the field and be a force down the field will be felt if he secures his catches against the Broncos. If he gets going, then the offense will be churning. With the extra coverage Adams will more likely receive, expect Waller to find himself in a few favorable one-on-one matchups.
*Top Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images