Oakland Raiders: 5 Key matchups vs. Ravens in Week 5
By Nick Sparrow
2. EJ Manuel vs. Joe Flacco
While this is not a direct matchup, as in two players who will directly go head-to-head, it is easily the most important in the game. This game should be decided by whichever quarterback can find more success. Neither of these team’s quarterback situation is ideal.
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EJ Manuel will be taking over for franchise quarterback Derek Carr, who is expected to miss 2-6 weeks with a back injury. Manuel has not started more than four games in a season since his rookie season for Buffalo in 2013 when he started ten. The last game Manuel started was Week 7 last season when he went 9-of-20 for 86 yards and failed to score a touchdown. With a career 19-16 touchdown-to-interception ratio, there is reason Oakland fans should have concerns with Carr out.
Joe Flacco may be Baltimore’s franchise quarterback but doesn’t demand more respect than Manuel at this point. Through the first four games of the season, Flacco has thrown four touchdowns and six interceptions. Flacco currently ranks 22nd in completion percentage and 32nd in passing yards per game. Flacco also ranks 31st in quarterback rating this season, with only rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer ranked lower.
There is a good possibility that this game could feature some of the most inefficient quarterback play of the season. However, if either quarterback is able to find success that could be all it takes to come out with a win on Sunday.