Something has to break Sunday afternoon at Allegiant Stadium, where the Raiders and Rams meet with both teams trying to halt the slide in their own way. It’s an early-season matchup with real weight for both sides, and Las Vegas will need to win a handful of one-on-one battles to have a shot at knocking off a battered Rams team.
One of the clearest pressure points comes on the edge, where the Raiders’ young right tackle, DJ Glaze, gets a steep test. Glaze has taken a step forward this season and has developed into a solid starter, but the last three games have been rougher: three pressures allowed in each one after giving up just one pressure across the first three games combined.
That won’t get easier against Byron Young, who ranks sixth in the NFL with 29 total pressures, according to Next Gen Stats. With Myles Garrett still on injured reserve, Young stands as the Rams’ top pass rusher and one of the league’s most disruptive defenders right now.
That same pressure battle is part of a broader matchup the Raiders have to manage against one of the league’s better offenses. Los Angeles has had issues finishing drives, but Matthew Stafford is still playing quality football, and the Rams continue to move the ball. For Las Vegas, the challenge is not just surviving up front - it’s keeping a strong offensive unit from dictating the terms of the game.
The Raiders also have an advantage in the middle of the field if they can exploit it. Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer form what the team believes is the best tight end duo in the NFL, and both are tracking toward big seasons.
They’re the top pass-catchers on the roster and are used in a wide range of ways in Klint Kubiak’s offense. That versatility could matter here, especially if the Rams are without All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie and linebacker Nate Landman.
The linebacker group looks like the area Las Vegas can attack, even if the rest of the secondary remains a sturdy part of the defense.
On the other side, Maxx Crosby has his own individual test. According to Next Gen Stats, Crosby is fifth in the NFL with 30 pressures, and he’ll line up against Rams right tackle Warren McClendon, who has allowed a 6.8% pressure rate, the sixth-lowest among all right tackles. That’s the kind of matchup that can swing a game if Crosby gets loose early and often.
It also puts the spotlight on a defense that is trying to reset under coordinator Rob Leonard. The loss of Davante Adams will hurt Los Angeles, and this is a chance for the Raiders to take advantage of a Rams offense that looks worn down.
Quay Walker is one player to watch for that effort on Sunday, though he was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice. Meanwhile, Kubiak gets another shot at going against Sean McVay, just as he did in Seattle last season.
In Other News...
Raiders Rookie QB Is Becoming Harder To Ignore
Rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza has become harder for the Raiders to overlook as he keeps stacking up days that catch the staffs attention. Head coach Klint Kubiak said hes pleased with Mendozas growth, pointing to the kind of extra work that often separates a developmental quarterback from one who starts forcing his way into the conversation.
For a Raiders team still sorting out its long-term picture under center, that matters. Kubiaks comments suggest Mendoza is absorbing the offense and handling the day-to-day grind well enough that the coaches feel good about where hes headed, even if the next step is still waiting for the right opportunity. [Read more 🡒]
Michael Mayer Is Making Raiders Fans Rethink That Controversial Deal
Michael Mayer has quietly become one of the most reliable pieces in the Raiders offense, handling both the dirty work in the run game and a growing role as a receiver. After a slow start to his career, the tight end is finally producing the way the Raiders hoped, giving the offense a steady option in the middle of the field and a player who can help in multiple ways every week.
The timing only adds to the conversation around his future, because Las Vegas committed to him on a long-term deal before the season even began. Through six games, Mayer has already started to look like more than just a complementary piece, and his current production has made the decision look a lot smarter than it did when the ink was still fresh. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Rookie Backfield Surge Just Hit A Worrying Roadblock
Mike Washington Jr. had been making a steady push for more snaps, with his recent practice work earning him a larger look in the backfield picture. But the rookies momentum ran into a snag this week, as Las Vegas listed him as not participating in practice because of a foot/back injury ahead of the game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Washington had been limited the previous day before the setback became more serious, leaving his status for the matchup in doubt. If he cant go, the Raiders may need to turn more heavily to Dylan Laube and could even look at Roman Hemby as a possible option for his first regular-season action. [Read more 🡒]