The Raiders have enough talent to make opponents pay if they’re careless, but there are also a few names Buffalo doesn’t need to circle in red for Sunday.
Las Vegas was the league’s big early surprise over the first four weeks, but that shine took a hit after the Patriots blew them out in Week 5. Yes, Maxx Crosby, Brock Bowers, Nakobe Dean and other pieces on the roster still demand respect. But not everyone in silver and black is carrying real week-to-week danger right now.
Start with Ashton Jeanty, the No. 6 pick in the NFL Draft just a year ago. On paper, he should be the kind of back who can change a game.
In practice, the production has been thin. He’s averaging just 3.3 yards per carry, and he’s dealing with ankle and foot injuries that are clearly affecting him.
The Raiders’ offensive line hasn’t helped much either, which only makes it tougher for Jeanty to pop a big run. A breakout game is always possible, but this isn’t a player the Bills need to game-plan around with fear.
Jalen Nailor is in a similar bucket. He missed Week 5 with a concussion, and the expectation is that he’ll be back against Buffalo.
Even so, there isn’t much reason to treat him like a major threat. The Raiders gave him a $35 million contract in free agency, but so far he’s delivered five catches for 52 yards in four games.
The idea was that maybe his quiet years with the Minnesota Vikings were the result of being buried behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Instead, he’s looked more like a No. 3 receiver at best.
If he suits up, Buffalo isn’t going to be building the plan around him. Tre Tucker is the wideout who could actually make the Bills pay if they ignore him.
On the other side of the ball, Darien Porter is a corner the Bills can challenge. Josh Allen has been doing plenty with his legs this season, but this matchup offers a chance to get more out of the passing game.
Drake Maye had his way with the Raiders’ secondary in Week 5, and Porter was part of the problem. He started the season well before getting banged up, but against New England he was picked on.
His current 59.5 Pro Football Focus rating ranks 55th among cornerbacks. Hezekiah Masses was another possibility here because of how shaky he’s been in coverage, though he does have a knack for making plays on the ball.
Porter, though, is the guy who should see plenty of action in Week 6.
Then there’s Tonka Hemingway, a second-year defensive tackle who was supposed to help stabilize a position the Raiders didn’t really fix in a major way during the offseason. Las Vegas banked on him filling that role.
So far, that hasn’t happened. Hemingway has no sacks and no tackles for loss this season, and his 57.5 PFF grade ranks 74th among defensive tackles.
He may show up on a few run stops, but he’s not the kind of player who’s likely to dominate the broadcast or swing the game.
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