Can the Silver and Black pick up its first win against the 0-1 Cardinals?
Following a disappointing loss to the Chargers, the Raiders play their first home game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. The Raiders are likely to focus on limiting turnovers this upcoming week after their giveaway-filled performance on Sunday, but it is still of great concern whether or not Derek Carr can hold on to the ball this next week.
Matchup History
This is just the 11th matchup over nearly 50 years played between the Raiders and the Cardinals, although the Raiders are the Cardinals’ nearest team geographically. Currently, the matchup favors the Raiders all time, 6-4. The last time these two teams played each other was in 2018, with the Raiders winning 23-21 in Oakland.
Although Derek Carr is still leading the Raiders, the Cardinals are a very different franchise since the last matchup, with new players at nearly every position on offense and defense. The Raiders have made their fair share of improvements as well, making these teams very different from what they were only four years ago.
Key Matchups
The Battle in the Trenches
The Raiders came away from last week’s game against the Chargers without getting a single sack, despite having one of the more dangerous pass rushes in the league with Maxx Crosby and newly acquired Chandler Jones. The Cardinals also were not able to down Patrick Mahomes during their game in Glendale. Both teams were also in the Top 10 in sacks allowed last week, making the “battle in the trenches” something to watch out for this week.
College Teammates
It is not uncommon knowledge that a very major factor in Davantae Adams leaving Green Bay to play in Las Vegas was the opportunity to play with his former Fresno State teammate Derek Carr. With Carr delivering the passes, Adams totaled 3,031 yards and 38 touchdowns during a 26-game, two-year span (SRCFB). Additionally, when the Cardinals traded for former first-round wide receiver Marquise Brown during last year’s NFL Draft, Arizona was reuniting former college teammates as well. During Brown’s time at Oklahoma with Kyler Murray as his quarterback, he racked up 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns throughout 12 games. With Murray’s No. 1 target DeAndre Hopkins suspended and Rondale Moore day-to-day, Murray may be sending plenty of targets Brown’s way.
Prediction
The Cardinals will bounce back from their loss better than the Raiders. Kyler Murray will throw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns, while Marquise Brown reeling in one of the touchdowns. The Cardinals’ run game will work well too, and though Davantae Adams will have another 100+ yard showing, the Raiders won’t be able to get their run game going early and play from behind the entire game.
Cardinals 35, Raiders 27
The Raiders and Cardinals face off on Sunday, Sep. 18 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The game will kick off at 2:25 p.m. MT and can be seen on CBS and Paramount+.
