Raiderstation

Nobody made a thread about this yet..... weird. Put your observations/predictions here in the run up to the game.

I think the Raiders still win this game, even without Bowers, but his absence definitely changes the math. This might be the opportunity to see Connor Heyward, the favorite FA for some members, actually get a chunk of playing time. It's also the chance to see our questionable pass defense vs what was the worst pass-catching group in the NFL - until the Bowers news.

The most interesting thing for me to watch in this game is the defense and how Leonard calls it. It still might not tell us much, given the opponent but it's the first glimpse we'll have.

Until they prove otherwise, both these teams suck

^^^ That ankle looks pretty damn good to me !

Pressers from today
Dc Leonard


OC
Janocko


Ashton

pfish57 wrote: Thu Sep 10, 2026 11:55 am I could easily see this game being a loss...Willis scrambling all over the field, and the D's tongues are dragging the ground by halftime...there is no such thing as a gimmie game for the Raiders!

Thinking Leonard has a plan for Willis. Our new look defense will feature more speed and athleticism that we haven’t witnessed in a long time. Like all QBs, pressure is the key to forcing mistakes and it’s going to be important to get this first win. I don’t expect dominance but, it sure would be nice to look like the better team, which I believe we are.

Viper wrote: Fri Sep 11, 2026 5:19 am Thinking Leonard has a plan for Willis. Our new look defense will feature more speed and athleticism that we haven’t witnessed in a long time. Like all QBs, pressure is the key to forcing mistakes and it’s going to be important to get this first win. I don’t expect dominance but, it sure would be nice to look like the better team, which I believe we are.

i agree and also think our defense is built to stop running qbs, we got a lot of speed at lb and even our dline is gonna be solid on the edges

Even with a vet QB in Cousins, I expect the Raiders to be a running-oriented team as run blocking is easier than pass blocking. I just hope the Raiders game plan looks a bit more like the 49ers did last night vs. what we looked like last year. The Niners man-in-motion stuff confused the Rams defense over and over again in the 2nd half. I hate "we will run it down their throats and dominate the line of scrimmage" attitude. Our O-line is not very good and we need subterfuge as much or more than muscle and will power.

RunOverByHubbard wrote: Fri Sep 11, 2026 4:57 pm Even with a vet QB in Cousins, I expect the Raiders to be a running-oriented team as run blocking is easier than pass blocking. I just hope the Raiders game plan looks a bit more like the 49ers did last night vs. what we looked like last year. The Niners man-in-motion stuff confused the Rams defense over and over again in the 2nd half. I hate "we will run it down their throats and dominate the line of scrimmage" attitude. Our O-line is not very good and we need subterfuge as much or more than muscle and will power.

You have no grounds to say whether the oline is good or not lol. Watch the game Sunday, then form an opinion. Last years opinions are invalid

Goodtimes333 wrote: Fri Sep 11, 2026 5:01 pm You have no grounds to say whether the oline is good or not lol. Watch the game Sunday, then form an opinion. Last years opinions are invalid

OK I will. But a new center and shuffling of the guards so far is not going to convince me that this is gonna be a good offensive line. I bet if you saw offensive lines of every team ranked right now, the Raiders would be still be near the bottom.

RunOverByHubbard wrote: Fri Sep 11, 2026 6:18 pm OK I will. But a new center and shuffling of the guards so far is not going to convince me that this is gonna be a good offensive line. I bet if you saw offensive lines of every team ranked right now, the Raiders would be still be near the bottom.

The rankings had the Rams as a juggernaut and clear cut number one. They then got their asses kicked week 1. Rankings before a game means nothing brother. New scheme, new proven line coach. The talent is there

RunOverByHubbard wrote: Fri Sep 11, 2026 4:57 pm Even with a vet QB in Cousins, I expect the Raiders to be a running-oriented team as run blocking is easier than pass blocking. I just hope the Raiders game plan looks a bit more like the 49ers did last night vs. what we looked like last year. The Niners man-in-motion stuff confused the Rams defense over and over again in the 2nd half. I hate "we will run it down their throats and dominate the line of scrimmage" attitude. Our O-line is not very good and we need subterfuge as much or more than muscle and will power.

Our d line ain't so shit hot either

Fatukasi needs to play a lot of snaps. He's better than Butler imo. Kwity Paye is pretty solid all around & Maxx is who he is. Hard to have two absolute stud edge guys so in that regard having Paye is no slouch. He's not weak against the run & he can impact the passer. Dtackle has me worried. It'll be a good test. Miami has a legit center and two big ass guards

RunOverByHubbard wrote: Fri Sep 11, 2026 6:18 pm I bet if you saw offensive lines of every team ranked right now, the Raiders would be still be near the bottom.

Probably, but I would imagine the people who decide how a team is "ranked" are still going by last year's performance and have not yet actually seen how they perform this year.

Goodtimes333 wrote: Fri Sep 11, 2026 8:54 pm Fatukasi needs to play a lot of snaps. He's better than Butler imo. Kwity Paye is pretty solid all around & Maxx is who he is. Hard to have two absolute stud edge guys so in that regard having Paye is no slouch. He's not weak against the run & he can impact the passer. Dtackle has me worried. It'll be a good test. Miami has a legit center and two big ass guards

Absolutely. Butler should be a backup. Fatukasi and Tonka should be our starters

RunOverByHubbard wrote: Fri Sep 11, 2026 6:18 pm OK I will. But a new center and shuffling of the guards so far is not going to convince me that this is gonna be a good offensive line. I bet if you saw offensive lines of every team ranked right now, the Raiders would be still be near the bottom.

Honestly just replacing merideth alone should improve the offensive line ten fold, Merideth is the worst center I have literally ever seen.