Here are five things to know before today’s Raiders (6-4) at Falcons (3-7) kickoff at 1 p.m. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium:
1. Injury report: The Falcons could be without wide receiver Julio Jones (hamstring), tight end Hayden Hurst (ankle) and defensive end Dante Fowler, who all missed practice time last week and were declared questionable for the game. Running back Todd Gurley (knee) was declared out on Friday.
2. Where to watch, listen and stream: The game will be televised on CBS with Kevin Harlan handling the play-by-play, Trent Green as the color analysis and Amanda Balionis as the sideline reporter.
3. Series history: This will be the 15th regular-season meeting. The series is tied 7-7, but the Falcons have won the last four meetings.
4. Ryan milestone: Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan ranks third in the NFL with 2,978 passing yards in 2020.
If Ryan has at least 22 passing yards against the Raiders, it would mark his 11th consecutive season with at least 3,000 passing yards — the longest such streak in franchise history, the eighth longest streak in NFL history and the third-longest active streak in the league.
Only Philip Rivers (14 seasons, 2006-19) and Tom Brady (11 seasons, 2009-19) have longer active streaks.
5. Key matchups: Here are three key matchups to watch:
Raiders TE Darren Waller vs. Falcons LB Foye Oluokun: Waller is turning in another fine season. The former North Cobb High and Georgia Tech standout has caught 60 passes for 519 yards and five touchdowns. Oluokun will be the primary defender when the Falcons play man-to-man. “We’ve been putting Foye on a bunch of tight ends,” Falcons interim coach Raheem Morris said. “He’s been out there and has been able to get some challenges. We have given him a lot of credit for being one of our (players on) the uptick. He has a great challenge coming this week versus Waller. He’ll get a chance to go out there and compete against one of the very best. He’s playing like one of the very best right now, so we look forward to that thing happening. It being a premier matchup of the week for us.”
Raiders WR Hunter Renfrow vs. Falcons NB Isaiah Oliver: Renfrow has started the past four games and is becoming a dependable target out of the slot. He ranks second on team with 31 catches for 436 yards and two touchdowns. He has 20 first downs receiving. Oliver opened the season as the starting right cornerback, but has been moved inside to nickel back. The 6-foot and 210-pound Oliver must get physical with the 5-10, 185-pound Renfrow in the contact zone and not allow any free releases.
Raiders DE Maxx Crosby vs. Falcons LT Jake Matthews: Crosby, a fourth-round pick out of Eastern Michigan in 2019, is the Raiders sack leader with six. Clelin Ferrell, the fourth overall pick in the 2019 draft, has yet to emerge. After a poor showing against New Orleans’ Trey Hendrickson, Matthews needs to have a strong outing against Crosby.
Falcons’ next four games
Raiders at Falcons at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29
Saints at Falcons at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6
Falcons at Chargers at 4:25 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 13
Buccaneers at Falcons at 1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 20
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