The Raiders’ ground game is stuck in the mud, and Ashton Jeanty isn’t exactly hiding that fact. Las Vegas heads into Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season ranked 32nd in EPA and 31st in yards per carry, a brutal stretch that has left the team searching for answers against the New York Jets.
Jeanty has had his own rough go of it, too. Through seven games, he has one outing above 60 yards, is averaging 3.1 yards per carry, and has found the end zone just once on the ground. The offensive line has done him no favors, but Jeanty still thinks Sunday offers a chance to turn things around.
After studying the Jets on film, he pointed to what he sees as a soft spot in their run defense: “A couple guys out there that don't really want to tackle, but I'm not going to say names.”
That’s the kind of line that can light up a locker room, and the Jets will surely treat it that way. But before Jeanty gets his shot to back it up, the tape does give his claim at least some support.
On the whole, New York’s run defense has been solid. The Jets rank eighth in EPA against the run and are eighth-best in missed-tackle percentage, which says they’ve generally been a reliable tackling unit. Still, the numbers don’t tell the entire story.
Veteran linebacker Demario Davis has been the biggest issue in that area, with 11 missed tackles and a 19% missed-tackle rate. Cornerback Azareyah Thomas has also had trouble, missing 7 tackles at a 17% clip. Teams have been attacking the Jets on the perimeter, especially by forcing cornerbacks into run support.
Last week against the Miami Dolphins, that showed up clearly. On one play, Ollie Gordon got outside on a run and Brandon Stephens was the only defender in position to stop him. Stephens never really stepped into the tackle, kept shuffling laterally, and Gordon slipped free for a 25-yard gain.
Thomas had a similar issue on a Malik Willis draw. Willis got upfield, Thomas stayed attached to his block, and the safety had to clean it up.
Jeanty probably didn’t need to say all of this out loud, but the film suggests he wasn’t talking out of nowhere. The Raiders could have a path here if they lean on outside runs and make the Jets’ cornerbacks prove they can handle the physical part of the game.
Now it’s on Las Vegas to turn the scouting report into production. Jeanty gave the Jets some extra motivation; the Raiders’ rushing attack still has to do the talking.
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