Game Scout: Eagles-Raiders

Jeff Reynolds, The Sports Xchange

Philadelphia Eagles (3-5) at Oakland Raiders (3-4)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, at O.co Coliseum, Oakland TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Chris Myers, Tim Ryan, Jennifer Hale

*Keys to the game: The Raiders are giving up an average of just 330.9 yards per game and QB Terrelle Pryor's legs, combined with RB Darren McFadden, affords Oakland the chance to control the ball with long drives. The Eagles traded NT Isaac Sopoaga this week, and the Raiders don't need an invitation to pound the ball between the tackles. It sets up play-action and pocket-movement designs that maximize Pryor's ability to throw on the move. Philadelphia hasn't given up a run of longer than 24 yards this season, so the Raiders could be set up for another slugfest. They like their chances in that kind of game, particularly with Philadelphia QB Nick Foles returning from a concussion and facing a blitzing defense that has 13 different players having recorded sacks. The Raiders are allowing an average of only 76 yards per game on the ground over the last four games and are giving up just 3.6 yards per carry, third-best in the AFC. But Eagles RB LeSean McCoy, the NFL's leading rusher with 733 yards, does his damage in the open field and can cause the Raiders problems as a receiver. He could get a heaping workload if WR DeSean Jackson (ankle) is limited.

*Matchup to watch - Eagles NT Bennie Logan vs. Raiders C Stefen Wisniewski -- Wisniewski missed consecutive games against the Chargers and Chiefs with a knee injury, then rested during the bye week before returning to face the Steelers. Raiders coach Dennis Allen called his play "rusty," although his ability recognize blitzes was a big help. Logan will take the place of Sopoaga in the middle of their 3-4 defense. The Raiders have had a lot of work against 3-4 alignments and Wisniewski is at his best working with a center over the nose.

*Player spotlight - Raiders WR Denarius Moore: He leads the team with 179 yards after the catch and is averaging 17.6 yards per reception in the past five games. When the Raiders threaten downfield, Pryor counts on Moore to make plays.

*Fast facts: Eagles RB LeSean McCoy leads the NFC with 1,017 yards from scrimmage. ... Pryor leads NFL quarterbacks in rushing with 391 yards. ... Thirteen Raiders have at least one sack this season.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

Nick Foles can thrive if the Eagles are successful deploying RB LeSean McCoy as the open-field weapon and first option to pull defenders inside. If the Raiders step up and corral McCoy, they can get to 4-4 and stick their nose in the playoff picture.

*Our pick: Raiders 23-20