Ravens vs. Raiders Key Matchups: Right side of offensive line faces another steep challenge

This AFC showdown features key battles between specific players, units, and coaches.

The Baltimore Ravens will be back in Baltimore in Week 2 where they will take on their second straight AFC West opponent with the Las Vegas Raiders coming to town for a conference clash between two teams looking for their first win of the regular season. Unlike last week, the Ravens are the biggest favorites in the league to come out on top in this Sunday afternoon matchup at M&T Bank Stadium.

This game could have potential playoff implications later down the road as it’d not only be the first win but a conference win for whoever ultimately emerges victorious in the end.

However, games aren’t won on paper or decided by betting odds. There are some pivotal matchups between individual players, units, and coaches that will go a long way in determining the outcome of this contest.

Below are a handful of those key battles that could be deciding factors in Week 2.

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Right side of Ravens o-line v. Maxx Crosby/Christian Wilkins

For the second week in a row, the Ravens’ revamped blocking unit will have its hands full with not one but two highly disruptive pass rushers with Wilkins from the interior and Crosby off the edge. Both possess relentless motors, rarely come off the field and play with an energy level unmatched by most of their contemporaries around the league. They were among the Raiders’ top five highest-graded players in Week 1 according to Pro Football Focus 1 with Crosby recording a sack, a tackle for loss, three quarterback hits and five pressures in a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

As was the case in the season opener with five-time Pro Bowler Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs, the side of the Ravens’ offensive line that will likely be targeted and under siege the most in this matchup is the right. Third-year pro Daniel Faalele is slated to make his second-ever career start at guard after converting from offensive tackle. The Ravens will likely deploy a rotation at the opposite bookend tackle spot between veteran Patrick Mekari and second-round rookie Roger Rosengarten, none of which fared particularly well against an elite pass rusher. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken will likely assign four-time Pro Bowl fullback Patrick Ricard to their aid as an extra blocker on the end of the line in obvious passing downs.

Ravens pass rush v. Raiders offensive line

Baltimore isn’t the only team in this game whose starting blocking unit struggled to consistently keep their quarterback upright in pass protection in Week 1. Against the Chargers, veteran signal-caller Gardner Minshew was sacked four times and hit six as both their interior linemen and tackles had a hard time keeping the Pro Bowl tandem of Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack at bay as two combined for 2.5 sacks, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits.

While the Ravens don’t have any Pro Bowlers on the edge, they do have one at interior defensive line in Nnamdi Madubuike who led the team with 13 last year in a breakout season and logged half a sack and two quarterback hits in Week 1. Right next to him is third-year pro Travis Jones who quietly had a very impressive season-opening performance in which he helped a teammate record a sack and generated a pressure that led to a turnover. Out on the edge, they might not have veteran Kyle Van Noy who is dealing with an eye injury he sustained last week. But they do have Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo who were both very impactful in generating consistent pressure on Patrick Mahomes last week.

DB Kyle Hamilton v. TE Brock Bowers

The Ravens’ star All Pro safety had one of the best games of his breakout season last year against a Minshew-led Indianapolis Colts team in which he recorded all three of his sacks in one half but his team still ultimately lost in overtime. This time around, he could be spending more time in coverage trying to limit the impact of Raiders’ first-round rookie tight end Brock Bowers who led the team in targets (8) and receptions (6) and finished third in receiving yards (58). Hamilton played a large role in keeping future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce in check in Week 1 with three receptions on four targets for 34 receiving yards—23 of which came against cornerback Brandon Stephens on one play.

CB Marlon Humphrey v. WR Davante Adams

The Ravens’ three-time Pro Bowler could find himself lined across from the Raiders’ six-time Pro Bowler early and often this year given that they both spend some time in the slot. Humphrey was the first man up in the nickel spot when the Chiefs trotted out a three-receiver set and while he was credited with giving up the touchdown on the blown coverage to Xavier Worthy last week, Hamilton took responsibility for the miscommunication on the play on Wednesday. Adams finished second on the Raiders in targets (6), receptions (5) and receiving yards (59) last season but is capable of going off for 100-plus yards if not held in check.

RB Derrick Henry v. Raiders run defense

After watching their former starting running back, J.K. Dobbins, erupt in the second half for the Chargers in Week 1, the Ravens will certainly look to unleash their new featured player at the position on Sunday in hopes of achieving similar success since they still use many of the same run concepts as Greg Roman. Henry is a four-time Pro Bowl and two-time rushing champion who only carried the ball 13 times for a mere 46 rushing yards and a touchdown in Week 1.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said wouldn’t be getting anywhere near the consistently heavy workload he shouldered in his career before signing with the team but still expects to have big games this year. The Raiders gave up a whopping 176 rushing yards on 27 carries with an average of 6.5 per attempt and there is a strong chance that the Ravens could do even more damage on the ground with Jackson as part of the calculus for the defense.