Versus: Raiders offense looking to get their hands dirty against Danielle Hunter, Vikings
Both the Las Vegas Raiders and Minnesota Vikings are coming off a Week 13 bye as they head into Allegiant Stadium this Sunday.
The Silver and Black come into the showdown after going 2-2 in the month of November under Interim Head Coach Antonio Pierce. The Vikings will pose a challenge with their physical play style, which the Raiders must combat with high intensity if they hope to eke out a win.
Let’s dive into key matchups to watch.
The three-time Pro Bowler currently leads the league in tackles for loss (18) and is one sack away from tying his single-season career-high of 14.5. He’s been the motor for an improving Vikings defense that’s allowed slightly over 17 points per game since Week 6.
“[H]e’s a great player,” interim offensive coordinator Bo Hardegee said. “Like I’ve told you guys before, there’s one every week. And [the Vikings] as a whole, as a football team, they’re a very good football team. … It would be irresponsible not to pay attention to a great player as we do every week.”
Hunter comes off the edge on either side of the line of scrimmage, so the tackle trio of Kolton Miller (if healthy), Jermaine Eluemunor and Thayer Munford Jr. will equally be responsible for limiting him. Despite missing two games due to a shoulder injury, Miller is in the midst of arguably his best NFL season with an 81.7 pass blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. Miller’s status could be up in the air as he did not practice Wednesday or Thursday.
Eluemunor has split time this season with Thayer Munford Jr. at right tackle, and both will need to be fully prepared to see time against Hunter this Sunday.
