Oakland Raiders: 5 Key matchups vs. Ravens in Week 5

3 of 5

OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Karl Joseph #42 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after sacking the quarterback and recovering a fumble against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. The Raiders won the game 45-20. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

3. Karl Joseph vs. Benjamin Watson

With Obi Melifonwu still on IR for at least the first half of the season, it will fall on Karl Joseph to contain the tight end position in Sunday’s game. Tight ends have combined for 245 of Baltimore’s 637 receiving yards through the first four weeks of the season. Ben Watson alone has 146 yards, which leads the team among all positions in receiving yards.

Watson’s only downgrade this season is due to his lack of scoring. Watson has found the end zone only once this season, a garbage-time touchdown in Week 3 when Ryan Mallett had come in to replace Joe Flacco.

If anyone on the Raiders can shut down the Ravens’ leading receiver, its Joseph. Joseph is exceeding all expectations as he enters the second month of Year 2 of his career. According to Pro Football Focus Edge, Joseph ranks as the ninth-best safety in the league through the first four weeks of the season. Joseph looks to be a Pro Bowl-caliber player and is setting himself up to be the anchor for this secondary.

Watson is one of Flacco’s favorite targets but lacks elite speed and strength needed to escape good coverage. If Joseph continues his high level of play, Flacco will need to look elsewhere when passing, where his options are notably already limited.

Home/Baltimore Ravens