Raiders/Cowboys Preview: Return To Aggression
With the Las Vegas Raiders’ hot 3-0 start squandered down to a 5-5 record, desperation could be setting in, especially with a game against Dallas on the horizon. The Cowboys will come into the matchup standing at 7-3, coming off a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Dallas certainly has not had the most difficult schedule up to this point, but 7-3 is 7-3.
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Unhealthy Dallas
Despite Amari Cooper being out with Covid and CeeDee Lamb not completely good to go, the Cowboys still pose a threat offensively. Fortunately, even with the Raiders coming out a bit flat in recent weeks, Maxx Crosby and Yannick Ngakoue have both been consistent in keeping their quarterback pressures up, which potentially without Dak Prescott’s top two wide receivers, could be crucial in the Raiders finding success on Thursday.
Zeke Problem
To add to the Cowboys’ potential offensive struggles, Ezekiel Elliott has not looked like himself for a majority of the season. Elliot rushed over 100 yards twice this season but fell below seventy yards six times in just ten games. While there is little doubt that Elliot still possesses the impressive talent, these stats could just be implying a downgrade in the Cowboys’ offensive line.
Line Damage?
In previous years, Elliot would have no trouble running through bus-sized holes created by his linemen, but in 2021, this line seems a bit more exploitable, should the Raiders want to dial up a few more blitzes. Offensively, the Raiders are giving themselves no choice but to take some risks. As witnessed in the game against the Bengals, passes completed near or behind the line of scrimmage have minimal success.
Embracing Aggressiveness
Las Vegas got off to their 3-0 start taking chances on deep throws that were either caught by the pass’ intended target or incomplete. Derek Carr did not throw jump balls at the same rate that he does now, hence the soaring interception total. While DeSean Jackson may not be on the same level of speed as some of the NFL’s other deep threats, he still needs to see the field more.
Reasonable Explanation
Perhaps he is still working his way into the Raiders system, but being on the field for 34% of offensive snaps is not an ideal way to work him in Carr’s favor. But, this may not be entirely Jackson’s fault, as there is certainly more here than low snap count. Bryan Edwards and Zay Jones were both on the field for at least 72% of offensive snaps (83% and 72%, respectively), and combined for two targets and one catch for 20 yards.
Find Darren Waller
Although Darren Waller did have his second 100+ yard game of his season, he was the lone bright spot in the Raiders offense. From an outside perspective, this offense needs to facilitate the ball around, and cannot be afraid to take chances. Showing the league that Waller maybe Carr’s lone trusted target allows teams to gameplan and take him away while getting inside the red zone and not throwing a single ball across the goal line can be incredibly easy to game plan against as well.
