Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Md. (turf, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Spread: Ravens by 7.5
Forecast: Partly cloudy with temperatures in the mid-60s
Records: Ravens (Overall: 6-2, AFC North 3-0); Raiders (Overall: 3-5, AFC West 1-1)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Jan. 1, 2010: Ravens 21, Raiders 13; Oct. 26, 2008: Ravens 29, Raiders 10. Series record: Ravens hold a 5-1 regular season edge and a 1-0 postseason advantage.
What matters: The Ravens are back at home, which means the offense has a chance to look more explosive than it has the past two games against Houston and Cleveland. At home, the Ravens are averaging 421.8 yards and 32 points per game. With M&T Bank Stadium offering a friendly atmosphere for the Baltimore offense, quarterback Joe Flacco will look to get back on track when it comes to moving the offense and picking up first downs. If Flacco can get the offense moving at a consistent pace, this offense is hard to stop no matter the opponent.
Who matters: The interior defensive line -- DE Arthur Jones, NTs Terrence Cody and Ma'ake Kemoeatu, and DT Haloti Ngata -- could see another improved week defending the run. If they can occupy blockers at the point of attack, Baltimore may look better defending the run than it has most of the season. The Raiders have been inconsistent rushing the ball and third string back Taiwan Jones has been getting first team reps in practice in place of injured RBs Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson. If Baltimore's front seven can stop the run, then it will force Oakland into being one dimensional.
Key matchups: Baltimore's interior OL vs. DT Richard Seymour. The Raiders have only notched 11 sacks in eight games, which ranks 30th in the NFL. If LG Bobbie Williams, C Matt Birk and RG Marshal Yanda can keep Seymour in check, Flacco should have enough time to make some plays downfield. ... Ravens CBs Cary Williams, Jimmy Smith and Corey Graham vs. Raiders WRs Darrius Heyward-Bey, Denarius Moore and Rod Streater. Baltimore's secondary has been tested quite a bit this year, ranking 22nd by giving up 246.8 yards through the air per game. The Raiders wideouts possess deadly speed and could make the Ravens pay if the secondary isn't fundamentally sound.
Injuries of note: DT Haloti Ngata (knee/shoulder), LG Bobbie Williams (ankle) and RG Marshal Yanda (ankle/knee) returned to practice Friday after missing the previous two practices. All are expected to play, though they'll likely be listed as questionable. DE Pernell McPhee (thigh/knee) has not practiced this week and could miss his second consecutive game.
Inside stuff: Backup RB Bernard Pierce had seven carries for 26 yards and a touchdown last week against Cleveland. There's a good chance Pierce receives more carries this week, especially if Baltimore's offense gets off to a fast start.
Connections: Ravens ILBs coach Don Martindale's first NFL coaching job was with the Raiders as he coached in Oakland from 2004-2008. ... Raiders DBs coach Johnnie Lynn was Baltimore's secondary coach from 2004-2005. ... Ravens OLB Paul Kruger's brother-in-law is Raiders OL Tony Bergstrom, who's married to Kruger's sister. ... Ravens LG Bobbie Williams and Raiders QB Carson Palmer used to play together in Cincinnati. ... Raiders WR Darrius Heyward-Bey played with Ravens WRs Torrey Smith and LaQuan Williams in college at Maryland.
Stat you should know: At home, where Baltimore will be on Sunday, the Ravens have converted 43 percent of their third-down opportunities. On the road, the number drops to 30 percent. Expect the Ravens to move the chains with better efficiency Sunday than they have in their previous two games.
Looking ahead: After this home meeting with Oakland, Baltimore heads back on the road for the next two games. Both games will be tough with the Ravens traveling to Pittsburgh and then to San Diego. Following those two games, the Ravens return home to play Pittsburgh again. Needless to say, a win against Oakland is vital due to the upcoming three-game stretch.
Prediction: Ravens 34, Raiders 31
Follow Ravens reporter Jason Butt on Twitter: @CBSRavens and @JasonButtCBS.
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