Oakland Raiders: 5 Key matchups vs. Broncos in Week 4
By Nick Sparrow
Michael Crabtree, Amari Cooper vs. Chris Harris, Aqib Talib
This will be one of the most exciting matchups of the season as the best wide receiver duo in the league faces the best cornerback duo. In the first two weeks of the season, Crabtree and Cooper combined for 21 receptions for 258 yards and four touchdowns. In Week 3, they only combined for two catches for 13 yards. Crabtree and Cooper will be looking to get back on track in Week 4 as they travel to face an elite Denver offense.
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According to Pro Football Focus Edge, Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr are currently graded as the seventh and 20th best corners in the league respectively. As good as they have been through the first three games, this is still a decline for these corners compared to last season. At the end of 2016, Harris Jr and Talib ranked first and second best corners in the entire league.
Oakland’s offense is built around the talent and versatility of their weapons. If Cooper and Crabtree are taken out of the Raiders gameplan, their offense is likely to struggle for the second consecutive week. Without Crabtree and Cooper open, Carr will be limited to Jared Cook, Seth Roberts and Cordarrelle Patterson as his primary targets. Cooper and Crabtree will need to find to get open to give Carr a chance to find success and make plays.