5 players the Raiders need to play well to beat Ravens

Darren Waller must be the go-to target in the Raiders’ passing attack on Monday

It has been established over the last two years, but Darren Waller can absolutely ball at tight end. He is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons with the Silver and Black. The Raiders are expecting him to be a top-five in football throughout the duration of his age-29 season out of Georgia Tech. While scoring points on Wink Martindale’s defense is tough, that is what is required.

Given that Waller is among the most physically gifted and talented players on the Raiders roster, it really does not matter who he goes up against in any given week. No, the Raiders do not need him to have eight catches for 100 yards and a touchdown, but he will need to make a big play or two, and probably find pay dirt if the Raiders want to upset the Ravens on Monday Night Football.

Obviously, he is the one receiving target the Baltimore defense will want to try to neutralize at all costs. Though they may not be able to do it, making Waller somewhat of a non-factor will go a long way towards the Ravens coming out of Las Vegas with a big road victory in Week 1. Simply, Waller not only must go toe-to-toe with Baltimore tight end Mark Andrews, he must be better.

It is hard to envision the Raiders winning their home opener without a monster game from Waller.