Oakland Raiders: 5 Key matchups vs. Chiefs in Week 7
By Nick Sparrow
2. Michael Crabtree vs. Terrance Mitchell
With Oakland’s “star” receiver Amari Cooper failing to gain 35 yards receiving for the fifth consecutive week, the lion’s share of the offense continued to fall on Crabtree in Week 6. Despite being targetting five fewer times than Cooper and playing one less game, Crabtree already has 304 yards and five touchdowns compared to Cooper’s 146 yards and one touchdown. If it isn’t clear enough how important Crabtree is to Oakland’s offense, Crabtree’s five receiving touchdowns not only leads the team but no other player on the team even has two.
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Terrance Mitchell will be tasked with covering Mitchell for the majority of Thursday’s game. If he is able to limit Crabtree’s production it will be incredibly difficult for the Raiders to have a ton of success in the passing game. However, Mitchell might be the weakest link in an incredibly talented Chiefs secondary. According to Pro Football Focus Edge, Mitchell ranks as the 84th best cornerback in the league with a 48.3 grade, which is considered poor.
Mitchell is definitely picked on by opposing quarterbacks significantly more than any other defensive back on the Kansas City roster. In all likelihood, Mitchell’s poor grade is partially due to being tested more than many other corners in the league. Still, Crabtree looks to be putting together one of the best seasons of his career and could prove too much for a player like Mitchell to handle.