Cincinnati Bengals at Oakland Raiders: Week 1 Prediction

August 30, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) runs a route during the first quarter in a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at O.co Coliseum. The Cardinals defeated the Raiders 30-23. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

A team with aspiration for a deep playoff run faces a team desperate to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002. What should be expected from the Cincinnati Bengals as they visit the Oakland Raiders?

Injury News

Andre Holmes and Justin Tuck expected to play

The Raiders look like everyone should be good to go for the opener. Wide receiver Andre Holmes (hand) and defensive end Justin Tuck (calf) are both on the mend and practiced all week. Barring an unexpected setback, they will play.

Andrew Whitworth probable despite missing practice

A back problem has dogged left tackle Andrew Whitworth for awhile, causing him to miss practice Wednesday. However, make it back the rest of the week and is expected to be ready for action.

Key Matchups

Andre Smith vs. Khalil Mack

He is never the one who gets the attention but Andre Smith is a key cog for the Bengals offensive line at right tackle. He was hampered by injuries last season and struggled at times in pass protection. He’ll need to bring his best because Khalil Mack will be across from him. The emerging Raiders pass rusher seems on track for a breakout season and should hold a speed and quickness advantage. Smith must use his mass and power to full effect as a counter.

Amari Cooper vs. Leon Hall

Oakland selected Amari Cooper as their 1st round pick because he was the most pro-ready receiver in the draft and also boasted a degree of speed that would open up their passing game down the field. Veteran corner Leon Hall will be tasked with stopping him. Is his veteran experience enough to counter Cooper’s explosiveness?

X-Factors

Bengals LBs against Latavius Murray

Vontaze Burfict is out, so the job of the Bengals linebackers gets that much harder. They’ll have to contain the Raiders ground attack, led by promising running back Latavius Murray who averaged 5.2 yards per carry last season. His size and sneaky speed cannot be taken lightly and is something that Cincinnati should not ignore.

Andy Dalton against Raiders pass rush

The pass rush already looked pretty good centered around Khalil Mack for Oakland, but now they’ve brought in free agent Aldon Smith. The former 49ers outside linebacker has 49.5 career sacks at just 25-years old. He can be deadly coming off the edge. So to pair him with Mack is all too logical for Oakland.

The Bengals must do a good job protecting Andy Dalton because he’s not exactly mobile and tends to start making bad mistakes when he’s constantly under pressure.

Prediction: Bengals win 23-20

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