The Raiders will face a tougher challenge on both sides of the ball when they square off against the Vikings, and it has little to do with the fact they're winning.
The Vikings have the advantage of more actual game-time experience with an early start to their preseason. Secondly, their player development remains steady.
These teams are nearly mirror images of each other. Quarterbacks Teddy Bridgewater and Derek Carr were drafted in the same year and selected four picks apart. Both have the newfound responsibility of leading revamped offenses with an explosive stable of wide receivers.
Outside linebacker Anthony Barr is the Vikings' version of Khalil Mack. Both players finished their collegiate careers with more than 20 sacks and recorded four sacks in their rookie seasons in 2014.
Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave even mistakenly called running back Latavius Murray by Adrian Peterson’s moniker AP, per Vikings Journal writer Arif Hasan via Twitter:
Bill Musgrave accidentally calling Latavius Murray "AP" is hilarious
— Arif Hasan (@ArifHasanNFL) August 15, 2015 Well, he’s not the only person making this honest mistake. Optimistic fans also draw the connection:
I swear to GOD when I was Watching Latavius Murray run the Ball yesterday, he looked like Adrian Peterson. #Coincidence that he #28 too?
— IG: Aye_Artiiee (@Aye_Artiiee) August 15, 2015 @ESPNFantasy Latavius Murray. Most teams go RBC. T Rch is bkp? Runs Adrian Peterson style. He's not AP, but appears to have tools of could
— Scott Franks (@movingwhips) August 16, 2015 Murray should develop into a solid starter, but he’s no Peterson.
Like the Raiders, the Vikings should see major improvement across...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
