The 1-4 Las Vegas Raiders cannot afford a loss in Week 7 action, and they have a player that can help them avoid that. This past offseason, former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams joined the Silver and Black.
While he has been outstanding, the team’s offensive attack was one-dimensional to start the season. As a result, pass rushers used the weakness of Josh McDaniels’ team (offensive line) against him and Derek Carr. That said, there is no reason for a lackluster scoring offense with the other man besides the quarterback.
Josh Jacobs is the second-best player in the Raiders’ offense
Opposing defenses honing in on the star Raiders wide receiver has opened ample opportunity for the running game. In the first three contests of the season, McDaniels and Co. learned the hard way, as they only attempted to run the ball no more than 20 times with their backs.
However, in Week 4, Josh Jacobs took over in their first victory of the year against the Denver Broncos. He followed up his 128-yard, two-touchdown performance in Week 5 with the best outing of his career against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Back-to-back career-high performances by this guy 🙌 pic.twitter.com/x5MosJxP84
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) October 11, 2022
Subsequently, Jacobs has another prime opportunity against his opponent in Week 7.
The Texans’ defense may give the Raiders’ passing attack problems
Given how the Raiders lead back has been performing, there is no need to drastically change the offensive strategy moving forward – especially today. In addition, the Houston Texans have an abundance of promising young talent on the defensive side of the football.
As a result, they have not given any effortless performances by opposing quarterbacks in 2022. In fact, head coach Lovie Smith’s team has only allowed four passing touchdowns so far, which is tied for second-best in the NFL.
This is largely thanks to their dominant two safety concept, which they use frequently and effectively.
#Texans defensive thoughts against the Raiders.
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) October 21, 2022
The Texans call a lot of 2 high shell looks. 96 times, 6th most in the NFL, (and they’ve only played 5 games).
Carr against the 2 high has 1 td to 3 ints and is completing only 61% of his passes with a 6.6 yards per attempt.
As you can see above, Raiders’ signal-caller has struggled with the favored Texan coverage look. However, if the Texans are willing to leave two safeties deep, it will only allow Josh Jacobs more avenues for opportunity.
Above all, it will be a chess match between McDaniels and Smith. Whichever side establishes and stops the run more effectively in the contest will likely be the victor.
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*Top Photo: Michael Clemens/Las Vegas Raiders