It’s been a rough couple weeks for the Raiders, having dropped consecutive road games in blowout fashion, most recently to the Chiefs with first place in the AFC West on the line.
But the story of this year’s Raiders is still being told.
At 6-6, their remaining four games are against teams without elite records, so Oakland still has a shot at the playoffs. At the very least, they can recover the league-wide respect they earned in going 6-4, building momentum for next season in the process.
Their first challenge could be the toughest and not solely due to the quality of the opponent. After two lopsided loses, finding their confidence and building positive momentum will itself be a task. Here are the players to watch as the Raiders attempt to start the last quarter of the season with a win.
DT Jonathan Hankins
Against a Tennesse Titans team featuring running back Derrick Henry, the Raiders’ stout run defense will be put to the test. Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins will be key in stopping the man Raiders coach Jon Gruden says has an under-recognized and valuable skill.
“I think the secret sauce in Henry is he’s got all the talent, and size, and running instincts, but he never tires. He’s a machine, man,” Gruden said during his Wednesday press conference. “You’ve got to gang tackle him. The more they give him the ball, the better he gets … an impressive human being.”
Hankins can’t stop Henry by himself, but by disrupting the middle of the Titans’ offense, he can make Henry work harder and allow the rest of the Raiders’ defense to swarm. It’s been Hankins’ formula for success all season, but Oakland needs him perhaps more than ever this week. Watch to see if he can make Henry spend some stamina and have a subpar game.
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