Raiders Need Secondary to Step Up Vs. Lions

The Las Vegas Raiders are preparing for another prime-time game as they travel to Ford Field in Detroit to take on the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football.

The Lions have one of the most explosive passing attacks in the league, and it might be the best one the Raiders have seen this season. The Lions have the fifth-most passing yards in the league and average almost 260 passing yards per game.

For this reason, it will be imperative for the Raiders’ secondary to step up and play well. With so many different weapons and an offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, who schemes those weapons into favorable positions, stopping this offensive unit will prove to be a challenge.

While they are an excellent offense, they are not entirely unstoppable. The Baltimore Ravens figured out how to slow the Lions down last week and did not allow quarterback Jared Goff to throw for a touchdown, while intercepting one of his passes, as well. The Raiders could watch how the Ravens stopped the Lions’ offense last week and attempt to replicate it.

The Lions have several offensive weapons for whom the Raiders must account. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is one of the most targeted wide receivers in the NFL, averaging over 11 targets per game. Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta has been one of the most productive rookies in the NFL and has three touchdown receptions.

There also are capable veterans like Josh Reynolds and Khalif Raymond who have found roles in Detroit. Second-year man Jameson Williams has not found a rhythm in the offense yet, but he is a blazing-fast player who takes the top off defenses.

The Raiders need more out of cornerback Marcus Peters going forward, as he has allowed 25 receptions on 36 targets, according to Pro Football Focus. Safety Marcus Epps has had a solid season but now faces a truly tough challenge he must prepare himself and his teammates for.

Cornerback Nate Hobbs was back at practice on Thursday, a welcome sight for Raiders fans. It would be a massive boost to the secondary if he could go on Monday night. Tyler Hall has played well in his absence and will need to continue to do so against the Lions.

The Raiders’ secondary has played well this season, but now they face their biggest test so far. They will need to continue to perform at a high level if they want to have a chance to take down the Lions.

The Silver and Black will stay on the road to take on the Detroit Lions on Monday night, Oct. 30, at 8:15 p.m. EDT/5:15 p.m. PDT.

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