There’s still much football left to be played, and the Las Vegas Raiders can get back on the winning side if they take advantage of a certain Dallas Cowboys’ weakness.
Say what you want, but no NFL locker room will admit to wanting to “tank.” It’s terrible for culture building, and a player such as a rookie Ashton Jeanty wants to win more than anything. He’s been vocal about that–there’s no way you’d ever convince him of trying to lose.
This Raiders team has a chance on Monday night, believe it or not. However, it’ll depend on whether they can capitalize on a glaring weakness that’s been on display from Dallas.
The Raiders need to feed Ashton Jeanty vs. the Cowboys…
Heading into their Week 11 clash, the Cowboys feature a run defense that offensive coordinator Chip Kelly should be able to exploit. Well, in theory, of course. Currently, they rank 26th and 25th in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns allowed, respectively. On top of that, they’re giving up nearly five yards per carry (4.8). Their overall red zone defense is 31st in terms of scoring, at the moment. In other words, this game needs to be a showcase for Jeanty.
Now, for Jeanty himself, the first-round pick isn’t lacking in the confidence department. While he shed some praise for the Cowboys, namely when referring to their recent acquisition of Quinnen Williams, he did acknowledge there’s room to make a splash next week. “It’s a good, all-around team, but there are definitely places where we can attack them and make great plays,” Jeanty stated.
As has been the case all season long, it’s all easier said than done. The question is whether Kelly ends up going to the Cowboys or if he’ll try to get cute with his play-calling. Raider Nation’s confidence is at an all-time low for this squad. Can they turn it around?
Related: Is It Too Late To Make Changes To The Raiders Offense?
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images