The Las Vegas Raiders look to keep their winning ways going in NFL Week 9 against an AFC West Rival.
What are the Raiders up against?
The Los Angeles Chargers are a good team despite the 2-5 losing record. Considering that the Raiders haven’t been relevant in years, they cannot afford to overlook anyone, especially a divisional rival. Also, despite winning a tough game in Cleveland last week, the Raiders defense is far from perfect. The weather, in addition to key Browns offensive players being injured, gave them a huge boost no matter how you want to look at it.
This week, it won’t get any easier, though the weather will be much nicer. The Chargers rushing offense has been led by running backs, Joshua Kelley and Austin Ekeler. However, it is the receivers that will test the Raiders defense. That same defense will be looking to prove that last week wasn’t a fluke, defensive coordinator Paul Guenther will have to keep an eye on these three Chargers.
Keenan Allen is the Chargers’ best offensive threat
Arguably the best receiver on the Chargers roster, Keenan Allen leads the team in receptions with 53 and yards with 548. He’s also found the end zone three times while averaging 10.3 yards a reception. The three-time Pro Bowler and 2017 Comeback Player of the Year is as reliable as he’s ever been. Allen’s dropped passes per target percentage sits at zero. He has zero drops and has 222 yards after the catch. The young defensive backs for the Raiders will have their hands full with one of the best receivers in the NFL.
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Tight end Hunter Henry will be a tough match for the Raiders linebackers
The Chargers’ tight end is having another solid season, he’s amassed 29 receptions, 324 receiving yards, and one touchdown. The Raiders linebacker corps will have their hands full with another upper echelon tight end in Week 9. Henry has 152 yards after the catch and has broken two tackles in 2020.
The Silver and Black will once again look to Cory Littleton in this matchup as he has taken all 100% of the team’s defensive snaps. He performed decently against the Browns which means he didn’t get torched, right now that’s all the Raiders are trying to prevent. If Littleton can keep Henry at bay, the defense will take that, one less weapon to worry about.
Don’t forget about wide receiver Mike Williams
The seventh overall selection of the 2017 NFL Draft, Williams is having an impressive season so far. This comes after breaking through the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the first time in 2019. The speedster will present a challenge to the Raiders defensive backfield, no matter who you match him up with.
He’s averaging 17.3 yards a reception and his longest catch this year went for 64 yards. Allen is the reliable veteran with excellent hands but Williams could end up torching the defense. Raider Nation will be anxiously watching as the team’s pass defense tries not to break against the receivers.
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*Top Photo: Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
