Detroit Lions - Oakland Raiders preview with former Raider Lincoln Kennedy

The Detroit Lions face off against the Oakland Raiders this week for just their fifth matchup since 1996. The Lions have won all four of the games since that mid-90s game, and they’re hoping to make it five to push themselves over .500 again and re-enter the NFC Playoff race.

The Raiders (3-4) haven’t really left the playoff conversation in the less-competitive AFC West. They’re second in their division and can pull within a game of the first-place Chiefs (5-3) with a win on Sunday.

So this remains a very important game for both teams, despite their mediocre records. And to break down such an important Week 9 game, we had to get ourselves a special guest on our weekly First Byte preview podcast.

Lincoln Kennedy was a former first-round pick and played for eight years with the Oakland Raiders as an offensive tackle. He went to the Pro Bowl three times, he was named All Pro twice, and now he is the color commentator for Oakland Raiders radio.

In other words, he knows his stuff.

So we picked his brain about Jon Gruden, Derek Carr and how the Raiders match up with the Detroit Lions.

This week on First Byte

• The Raiders went through a huge roster overhaul. Where do things stand now?
• That offensive line is playing tremendously well, and Lincoln thinks they may only start getting better.
• But the injury to starting center Rodney Hudson looms large. Can Damon Harrison Sr. and company take advantage?
• The Raiders defense is bad. Lincoln breaks down how injuries and youth have caused some early struggles.
• Two great passing offense. Two sketchy pass defenses. IT’S SHOOTOUT TIME AGAIN, Y’ALL!
• Will the Lions even try to run the ball this week?
• PREDICTIONS!