Behind Enemy Lines: One-On-One with Just Blog Baby

We chat with Tyler Randolph from the Oakland Raiders FanSided site Just Blog Baby and get his takes on the team and the game on Sunday.

The Denver Broncos are going to play the Oakland Raiders for first place in the AFC West. With how the Oakland Raiders have been performing, this long time rivalry will gain some traction again.

The two teams will face off for the 111th time in NFL history. The games between these two games have historically been some of the more solid matchups.

Not to mention that this specific matchup will feature a battle between the Raiders strong offense and the Broncos stellar defense.

There is no telling how this game will play out, but Broncos Country is hoping for another Denver Broncos win under the lights.

With this being a big game, it is time once again to venture behind enemy lines.

I got to chat with Tyler Randolph over at Just Blog Baby, which is FanSided’s Oakland Raiders site.

I asked him a couple of questions regarding the Raiders team and how he thinks Sunday’s game will go. Let us see what he thinks.

The Oakland Raiders are off to a great start. What do you believe has been the reason behind their success halfway through the season?

Having finally found a franchise QB, a true no. 1 wideout, an all-pro on the defensive side and an experienced head coach usually will put you in a position to win. That being said, I think the continuity that a young group like Oakland has provides them with intangibles that don’t go on the stat sheet.

Derek Carr is a flat out leader, and when your QB is the hardest working guy not only in practice but in the film and the weight rooms, there’s really not much anyone else can do but follow suit if you want to be a part of this team.

Derek Carr has been playing well for the Raiders at quarterback. What do you believe has helped him as far as his playmaking skills from last year?

I gotta go wth continuity here again. At head coach, offensive coordinator, offensive line, wideout, backfield; all these help provide him with an environment that allows him to work without distraction.

You can tell things are beginning to slow down for him, but at times his giddiness can warrant a few mishaps. It hasn’t done anything to doom them yet, but against a defense like Denver, he HAS to be crispy out there. 

He also has a work ethic that I think any coach would absolutely love to see in their QB. You have to give credit where credit is due, and to not mention the work he puts in and how that translates over to gameday would be naive. 

More from Predominantly Orange

• Broncos chances of landing Sean Payton dwindling, but not gone
• Denver Broncos dream coaching staff for DeMeco Ryans
• Denver Broncos: “Sleeper” David Shaw checks every box
• The Broncos’ coaching search likely has not gone to plan
• Special Chiefs Suck Offer: Bet $5, Win $150 if Joe Burrow Passes for ONE YARD vs KC

The offense has been playing with cannon’s blazing for the majority of the season. Do you believe this offense can help the Raiders get to the postseason?

Without a doubt I think they can ride this wave to at least a wild card berth. The thing is is that this defense hasn’t played that well, and they’re 6-2. Although these past two weeks they’ve shown major growth from game to game, and that man No.52 is finally coming alive.

They still have plenty to prove to show they belong in the contender category, but a solid game against this Denver defense could prove to many they are for real.

DC doesn’t even have to have an “MVP” type of game, he just needs to show command and poise, making sure his pre-snap reads are accurate and have patience.

With the amount of talent on this offense, chances for explosive plays will come, and Carr just has to know when to deliver.

The Raiders and Broncos face off on Sunday Night Football for 1st Place in the AFC West. What do you believe will be the keys to a Raiders win?

Raiders-Broncos? Sunday night? For first place in the AFC West? Just the sound of that has me fired up.

If I have to think of a major key for a victory, then I have to go with the run game. We know the pass defense for Denver is phenomenal, so of course the running game will be important. But the longer that defense is on the field, the easier it will be come the 4th quarter.

Latavius Murray needs to be decisive and run with physicality. The battle in the trenches is going to be a heavyweight bout, and he has to make sure and come with that wood when he gets his carries. 

Name one player on the Oakland roster that perhaps not a lot of fans know about that can be a key contributor, or X-Factor, to the game on Sunday.

For those who paid attention to the draft and college football, they may know who he is, but I have to go with he first round draft pick, safety Karl Joseph.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the defense as a whole began to improve upon his insertion into the lineup. The kid is 5’11 but is an absolute heavy hitter who loves to mix it up in the run game. Him and Reggie Nelson have a nose for the ball when it’s in the air, but this could be a game where Joseph really puts his name on the map.

Strong and angry defensive stops in the run game and an interception will make his name well-known for some time to come, and make Reggie McKenzie look even better than he already does. 

Thank You Tyler for taking the time out to talk about the game here. If you want to read what I said in our interview, be sure to check back at Just Blog Baby.