Baltimore Ravens vs. Oakland Raiders: 3 key matchups

Ravens defensive line vs. Marshawn Lynch

Without Derek Carr, the Raiders will rely more heavily on the run game this week, which revolves around Marshawn Lynch. It’s been a while since the Ravens have come up against Lynch, six years in fact. Lynch had a big game that day and rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown. He’s a little bit older now and doesn’t have that same explosiveness, but he’s still “Beast Mode” for a reason.

Lynch has stayed relatively quiet this season, but comes up against a Ravens front-seven that’s without two of their top interior lineman. Brent Urban is on injured reserve and Brandon Williams has not played since Week 2. The Steelers offensive line won the battle in the trenches last week and led the way for a 144 yard performance for Le’Veon Bell. The Raiders offensive line is even better up front and will look to do the same against the Ravens defensive front.

Next: Baltimore Ravens vs. Oakland Raiders: 3 big things for week 5

With a power back like Lynch, the Ravens cannot let him get into the second and third levels of the defense. At his size, Lynch can break contact with ease once he comes up against smaller defenders. The defensive line has to make a push and stop Lynch before he can even get upfield. The defense also must tackle in numbers. Rarely does it take just one defender to bring down Lynch. Arm tackling isn’t going to work and there have to been two to three defenders bringing him down at a time. If the defense can get to Lynch early and get him frustrated, they can have success.