The Oakland Raiders have a long way to go to command respect in the NFL. They took their first step in the right direction last week, though, when they beat the Detroit Lions. They’ll take another step forward if they beat the top dogs in the NFC North, the Green Bay Packers, who are in the process of discovering just how much stronger they are now compared to last season.
Read more about this game below. And while you’re at it, also check out other previews of next week’s games such as the tiff between the San Diego Chargers and the San Francisco 49ers.
[sc:Football ]Oakland Raiders vs. Green Bay Packers Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay
When: Friday, August 22, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Oakland Raiders at Green Bay Packers – see all NFL lines
Why This Game Matters
[sc:NFL240banner ]The Raiders only wish for more tune-up games to develop chemistry within their offensive line. While that’s not the only facet where Oakland needs to improve, it is of high priority for the team, having seen its passing game get crippled because of issues in the O-line.
The Green Bay Packers have issues, too, but they’re not as toxic as the Raiders. For one, they’re going to treat this game as another auditioning platform for Scott Tolzien and Matt Flynn, who are both in a tight battle for the QB backup job.
Betting on the Oakland Raiders
Major offseason acquisition and quarterback Matt Schaub looked sharp in their preseason week 2 27-26 win against the Detroit Lions, completing nine of 16 pass attempts for 109 yards and a touchdown. Against Green Bay, Schaub will get another crack with the first team, commanding just as much attention as the team’s dissatisfying offensive line.
The lack of cohesiveness in the O-line was conspicuous against Detroit, as the team’s quarterbacks were under constant pressure. With general manager Reggie McKenzie rolling the dice with Schaub and second-round draft pick, quarterback Derek Carr, waiting in the wings, the Raiders are clearly going to rely more on their passing game this season than they did in 2013, when the team finished just 25th in passing yards (208.8 per game).
Along with the O-line, the Raiders’ first overall draft selection, linebacker Khalil Mack, will be under scrutiny on Friday. Mack was dubbed by some prior to the draft as being better than No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney, but he showed little of that perceived potential against Detroit when it took him until late in the third quarter to register a tackle despite logging in more time on the field than the first-team defense.
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Betting on the Green Bay Packers
The Packers have a good problem on their hands following their dominant 21-7 preseason win against the St. Louis Rams.
Head coach Mike McCarthy has yet to name who will get the nod to be the team’s backup QB, and their game against the Rams only made it harder for him to decide.
Scott Tolzien threw 10-for-15 for 107 yards without throwing an interception despite playing alongside a set of second-string offensive linemen. Matt Flynn, who was pegged as the backup to Rodgers, also did well even for a short time.
In three series, Flynn made 2-of-3 passes, and threw a 34-touchdown pass to seventh-round pick Jeff Janis. With these two QBs going toe-to-toe thus far in the preseason, it’s likely that the first one to blink will land in third on the Green Bay QB depth chart.
On defense, the Packers are starting to show some fire after being among the worst defensive teams in the league last season. Ha Ha Clinton Dix has brought some spirit to the secondary and veteran and offseason signee Julius Peppers bounced back from an uneventful preseason opener by registering a tackle for a loss and also laying a hit on Rams’ QB Sam Bradford.
The Raiders, as mentioned, have a problematic offensive line, so expect Green Bay’s front seven to wreak even more havoc on Friday.
Writer’s Prediction
Green Bay’s defense will eat alive the Raiders’ poor O-line on the way to a decisive win against Oakland.
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