Packers Periscope: Week 7 vs Oakland Raiders

You probably remember the last time the Packers faced the Raiders. The game on the 80-yard field in Winnipeg? Yeah, that one.

Playing on a shortened field was the leading storyline coming out of the game but a close second was the breakout performance for wide receiver Trevor Davis. Davis caught five passes for 78 yards and a touchdown in preseason debut. He also added a 17-yard punt return just for show. No one could have predicted Davis would be traded to Oakland after just the second game of the regular season. Now, he’s set to face his former team on Sunday but in a much larger role in his new colors.

That will be something to keep an eye on.

As far as the regular season is concerned, these two teams most recently faced off in 2015. The Packers came out on top that day and clinched a franchise-record seventh straight trip to the postseason. The defense managed to pick Derek Carr off twice but the offense was outgained by 79 yards.

Sunday’s offense may look a little like it did four years with a lack of star power at receiver. Unfortunately, Davante Adams, Geronimo Allison, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling were all held out of practice on Thursday. If all three are out this week, Green Bay will be rolling with newbie Ryan Grant, Jake Kumerow, Allen Lazard, and Darius Shepherd. That’s it. Luckily the Packers are a more complete team than in recent years so winning is not only doable but expected.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has continued to settle into the offense each week. In turn, that has enabled Matt LaFleur to get more comfortable as a play-caller and allowed everyone else to grow within the offense. Against Dallas, Aaron Jones had himself the best game of his career. Last week, it was Jamaal Williams and Lazard who helped the team steal a win from Detroit. Who will it be this week?

The Raiders offense is underperforming this season under Jon Gruden but they are also lacking at receiver. Still, Carr is leading the league with a 72 percent completion percentage. Albeit most of it is a lot of taking what the defense gives him and the Packers defense hasn’t been giving much of anything depending on the week or even half.

They are coming off a great second half last week in which the completely shut down Matt Stafford and the Lions offense. Six games into the season, Green Bay ranks in the top-10 in scoring defense, sacks, and turnovers. Everything is shaping up for it to be a tough day for the  21st ranked Oakland offense. Look for Gruden to lean heavily on his top weapon rookie running back Josh Jacobs. Stop him and you probably win this game.

Hopefully, Rodgers can gel with his inexperienced targets as they are thrust into prominent roles. If not, this game could be ugly and low scoring. Even if it isn’t easy on the eyes, the Packers need to secure their third straight win and escape without any major injuries. They are about to undertake the toughest stretch of their schedule.

 

 

 

Brandon Carwile is a Packers writer who also enjoys watching and breaking down film. Follow him on Twitter @PackerScribe.

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Comments (18)

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IamGute's picture

October 18, 2019 at 12:17 pm

A little luck on the health/injury front and the schedule suddenly doesn’t look as bad. I have been impressed with the team’s ability to adapt with the injuries and opponents.

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stockholder's picture

October 18, 2019 at 12:43 pm

This game is another must win. It's a must win for offense. The Wrs! The Rbs! The Tes!. The ups and downs of certain players will tell the story . They made the roster. Can they contribute as expected! Every team has Needs. But none have Arron Rodgers. We've seen enough of the dropped passes. Fumbles. The poor routes. Etc. This game is for them to prove themselves.

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albert999's picture

October 18, 2019 at 02:36 pm

Lazard Lazard Lazard

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Cubbygold's picture

October 18, 2019 at 01:26 pm

This game should be a complete blowout from start to finish.

Lots of packer fans worried about the WR group. The raiders receivers are going to be their rookie 5th round pick, Trevor Davis and Zay Jones. GBs secondary is better than Oaklands and obviously you'll take Rodgers over Carr any day. The defense should be smelling blood and ready to pitch a shutout at home.

The game has to rely on lots of jones/williams/lewis. Vitale/Kumerow/Lazard have all had more practice with Rodgers than Oaklands receiving group, so they just need to match that production.

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albert999's picture

October 18, 2019 at 02:37 pm

I agree i think Pack blows them out
Take Pack and the -6 line for big bucks

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Hawg Hanner's picture

October 19, 2019 at 12:39 pm

you missed the Bear game where Gruden coached a win. There is talent on the Raiders and the defensive front looks good, which allowed the Mack trade. I wish we win in a blowout but it's going to be a tough game

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Lphill's picture

October 18, 2019 at 02:13 pm

ALL Carr does is short passes, they have a good back from Alabama but Packers should be able to play up since they don't have much of a deep threat.

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albert999's picture

October 18, 2019 at 02:36 pm

We gotta break with Mahomes out on the road
GO PACK

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albert999's picture

October 18, 2019 at 02:38 pm

i think Pack blows them out
Take Pack and the -6 line for big bucks

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Since'61's picture

October 18, 2019 at 04:17 pm

We should take this game. However for the second week in a row we are playing a team that is coming off of a bye week and we're coming off a short week with a beat up team.

I still expect the Packers to win but I'm concerned that coming off their last minute emotional win off a division rival they might start out flat in this game. If the defense plays solidly we should be OK. Oakland will try to stuff our run game and force Rodgers to win with our weak receiving corps. We will need to stick with our ground game and throw to our RBs to supplement our WRs. Maybe our TEs will also contribute.

I think if we can force Carr to be one dimensional we can generate a few TOs on defense and let our RBs and Rodgers do the rest. I like the Pack 28 - 13. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61

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Lare's picture

October 18, 2019 at 04:44 pm

While everyone is concentrating on the WR's, the Packers should win because they're controlling both sides of the LOS. Continue to do that, win the turnover battle again and this should be a comfortable victory.

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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

October 18, 2019 at 04:56 pm

Agreed Lare!

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porupack's picture

October 18, 2019 at 07:28 pm

I miss all of those drama articles and theories on the rifts between Aaron and MLF, and too much ego. Oh and the flawed management, and who controls who. Can't wait till offseason comes. lol.

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Samson's picture

October 18, 2019 at 09:24 pm

Funny how reality has a tendency to quiet all the "drama kings & prognosticators".... But, you're right--- nothing else to do in the offseason but think "too much".

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GVPacker's picture

October 18, 2019 at 08:34 pm

The Packers need Jimmy (Runs With Telephone Books Attached To His Feet) Graham to make some plays!

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SterlingSharpe's picture

October 19, 2019 at 04:35 am

Trevor Davis will be the most talented WR on the field, for either team. That's very ironic.

And how is he not hurt yet? Usually his hammy or groin would be sore by now....

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PatrickGB's picture

October 19, 2019 at 11:04 am

Historically our team has struggled with QBs who are efficient and have a good run game. Oakland looks like the eagles with that and with good TEs. Our pass rush will come close but the Raiders have a good plan for that. I expect the Packers to struggle and come out on the short end of this game. Rodgers came back against the Eagles with a torrid pass attack but when Adams got hurt it cut the comeback short. This week without Adams I expect that we lose. However, if the backups at WR show up then we just might pull this off. I hope it’s our running backs that take over the game and that we limit theirs. Then we might have a chance.

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Leatherhead's picture

October 19, 2019 at 11:45 am

Carr is a decent QB but he doesn't have a very good unit around him. As was mentioned above, their starting WRs are Trevor Davis and some Day 3 rookie. They've got problems at tackle. So if our pass defense can't slow that down then we're not as good as our #4 ranking in Opposing Passer Rating.

I think the same thing I've thought all season: Run the ball as much as we can, keep
Rodgers from getting hit so that he's healthy for the stretch run in December, and don't turn the ball over. If we just do that, we should go to 6-1.

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