Sunday Night – Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins

Every once in a while, we find ourselves with what looks like a mismatch on the surface but winds up being a good game. I think that’s what we have here with the Raiders and Dolphins. Oakland is one of the league’s better up and coming teams and frankly, they’re a sexy pick to go deep into the playoffs this year. Miami feels like they consistently underperform, but I expect a good game from them in the spotlight on Sunday night.

Keys to the Game

Raiders

Oakland would do well to get Tannehill uncomfortable and off his game early with pressure from the one and only Khalil Mack. There’s no doubt that will fluster Tannehill and make him much more susceptible to throwing interceptions. A couple of turnovers will practically clinch this one for Oakland, who can just march down the field at their leisure at that point and score as they please. An early advantage will make for a cakewalk on Sunday Night Football.

Dolphins

Miami is going to need a strong showing from that expensive defensive line of theirs. Ndamukong Suh needs to blow up the middle and they need to get Derek Carr on the ground. Suh and Cam Wake can disrupt an entire offense on their own and that will be Miami’s key to beating Oakland. Offensively, a healthy balance of Jarvis Landry and Jay Ajayi should be enough to put points on the board and have the Raiders reeling. Neutralizing Mack is necessary.