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Know Your Foe: Las Vegas Raiders

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CHARLOTTE — Viva Las Vegas! The Panthers (0-2) are preparing to head west this weekend, to take on the Raiders (1-1) for a Week 3 matchup that already looks drastically different than anyone could have imagined at the beginning of the season.

The Panthers are rolling onto The Strip with a different starting quarterback, and the Raiders are coming off a comeback win against the Baltimore Ravens. The Panthers are 3-4 all-time against the Raiders. Carolina is 2-2 at home and 1-2 on the road. Andy Dalton is 3-0 in his career starts against the Raiders.

As the Panthers jump in to preparations for the week, get to know the Raiders, and what they present as an opponent.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) looks to pass the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Sep. 15, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

The Stache, the kid and the best

The Raiders brought in quarterback Gardner Minshew this offseason, handing over an offense that includes Davante Adams and rookie tight end Brock Bowers. Through the first Raiders first two games, the rushing attack has been somewhat stymied, picking up only 98 yards on the game through two weeks.

Instead, the trio of Minshew, Adams and Bowers have taken over through the air. In those same first two games, Minshew has gone 55-71 for 533 yards and two touchdowns (plus two interceptions). Of those 533 yards, 325 have gone to the duo of Adams and Bowers, as well as 35 of the 55 targets.

"The quarterback did a heck of a job playing pitch and catch with one of the best receivers in the game and the young rookie really stood out today, Brock Bowers," Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said of the trio after the Ravens win. "I thought it was just a good job of our guys being resilient, having a hard hat mentality, keeping their composure, and being a more disciplined team."

Even knowing the ball will likely go to one of those two targets isn't always enough for defenders. Adams has made a reputation as one of the best route runners and get-off guys in the league. Bowers comes in to the league as a prime example of the new age tight end. Bracketing either of these pass catchers can shape a game plan on defense.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) runs with the ball after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Sep. 15, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

Mad Maxx

The Raiders defense has still been figuring things out in the first two weeks, giving up 176 yards on the ground in Week 1 to the Chargers, and 151 on the ground to the Ravens. One thing that is already known though, is what Maxx Crosby will bring it in the front seven. The veteran pass rusher has resumed his attack on opposing offenses, picking up 11 tackles, 3.0 sacks, two quarterback hurries, five tackles for loss and a pass defensed in the first two weeks.

As the Raiders looked to complete their comeback win against the Ravens on Sunday, Crosby registered perhaps his most significant play of the game, helping Vegas secure the win. On the Ravens penultimate drive, while looking to answer a Raiders touchdown drive, Crosby sacked Lamar Jackson on the first play, a loss of nine-yards to put Baltimore well behind on the first play. They would eventually punt on the drive. The Raiders kicked the go-ahead field goal on their final drive.

"Last week, we heard a lot of noise," Crosby said to The Athletic. "I took a lot of things personally. And I love that. … I feel like I had a lot of doubters, and I feel like this whole team was being disrespected, so you've got to respond."

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) chases after Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Kickin' it like Daniel

The Raiders' kicker, Daniel Carlson, has a strong leg and the luxury of kicking in a dome. As such, the offense knows they can depend on points from a vast majority of the opponents side of the field. Carlson has gone 5-of-6 on field goals so far this season, including two from 50-plus.

Both of the long field goals came in the win against the Ravens, the first from 53 yards, and the second from 51 yards. Carlson was called upon several times in the Ravens win, and responsible for four of the Raiders six scoring drives.

Carolina is 3-3 all-time against the Raiders with a 2-1 record at home.

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