Amari Cooper looks to find the endzone this week. (Getty)
The Baltimore Ravens take on the Oakland Raiders in Week 2 NFL action. Both teams look to rebound from opening the season with a loss. The Ravens were an interception away from beating the Broncos in Denver while the Raiders were demolished by the Bengals at home last week.
Quarterback Derek Carr left the game early for the Raiders with a hand injury. The good news for Raiders fans is he is expected to play against the Ravens. The Ravens did not receive as good of news as defensive player Terrell Suggs is out for the season.
Here is what you need to know about Sunday’s matchup:
The Basics
Who:
Baltimore Ravens vs. Oakland Raiders
When:
Sunday, September 20th at 4:05 PM ET/1:05 PM PT
Channel:
CBS
Where:
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum; Oakland, California
Line:
Ravens by 6 (Line is according to OddsShark and is subject to change.)
Last Meeting:
The Ravens beat the Raiders 55-20 in a 2011 matchup. Joe Flacco threw for 341 yards and 3 touchdowns in the game.
Baltimore Ravens Preview
Joe Flacco is looking for some receivers. (Getty)
The Ravens offense struggled against the Broncos. Joe Flacco did not throw a touchdown pass and threw two interceptions. Flacco is in a difficult position with the turnover the team has had at wide receiver. Former top target Torrey Smith signed with the 49ers in the offseason. The team selected Breshad Perriman with their first draft pick, but he is out until October with a knee injury.
It will also be interesting to see how the defense does without Suggs. He has been the heartbeat of the unit for quite some time.
Oakland Raiders Preview
Khalil Mack leads the defense. (Getty)
The Raiders struggled mightily in the first game of the season. It is difficult to know what exactly to attribute it to, but losing Derek Carr early certainly did not help. The offense failed to find any sort of rhythm and continued to keep the defense on the field for much of the game. With Carr expected to play, it will be worth noting how the new look Raiders offense does for the first time at full strength. In particular, Carr has rookie Amari Cooper and new receiver Michael Crabtree to throw to. The trio showed promise in the preseason.
Heavy’s Pick
Oakland Raiders 20, Baltimore Ravens 17
The Raiders looked bad last week, but they get another opportunity in front of the home crowd. Contingent on Carr staying healthy, the offense should start to show glimpses of what they are capable of. Even without Suggs, the Ravens defense will prove to be a tough test, but the Ravens offense has shown little sign of being able to move the ball downfield. In what should be a defensive battle, the Raiders begin to turn things around with a narrow victory over the Ravens.