Lions vs. Raiders Week 9 Scouting Report: Jon Gruden’s inconsistent group

2 players to watch for the Raiders

Maurice Hurst – Many Lions fans won’t need this hint to remember to keep an eye on Hurst; he was a fan favorite and a standout on the Michigan Wolverines’ defensive line for four seasons. Hurst famously slipped to the fifth round in the 2018 draft due to concerns over a heart condition.

However, he has gone on to start 20 games for the Raiders since then, including all seven this year. He is a relentless, high-energy player, capable of penetrating an offensive line all across the formation, particularly when lined up over guards. He’ll be a tough matchup for the Lions’ interior linemen.

Trent Brown – Currently the NFL’s heaviest player at 380 pounds, Brown was also given an extra-large free-agent contract in the offseason as the Raiders made him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the league. Playing right tackle, his performance has been passable, but not quite at the level that one would expect from someone with that kind of compensation.

Considering the Raiders’ strength in the middle of their offensive front, look for the Lions to use Flowers, Davis, and Kennard on twists, stunts and delayed blitzes to try and generate pressure against Brown. This approach helped versus the Giants’ tackles and could give them an edge against Oakland as well.

What will you be looking for in the Lions’ Week 9 matchup with the Raiders? Who do you think has the advantage? Let us know in the comments section below.