Coming off of their heartbreaking 30-27 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday, the Las Vegas Raiders head to Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots. The Patriots are 2-2 after a big win over the Buffalo Bills last week. To win, the Raiders will need to play mistake-free football and force turnovers.
Get the running game going
The Raiders have struggled to run the ball so far this season. Las Vegas has been averaging just 3.1 yards per carry, with leading rusher Ashton Jeanty averaging 3.4.
So far this season, New England has given up 4.7 yards per rush and 104 yards per game. This could be a good game for the Raiders to get Jeanty going. Jeanty missed practice Friday with ankle and foot injuries. He is questionable for Sunday's game against New England.
If Jeanty
can't go, it will be up to Mike Washington Jr to carry the load. Washington has rushed for 120 yards and one touchdown this season. Washington has the size and speed to hold down the fort. He just needs to be more decisive in the backfield.
The Raiders need to mix up the zone concepts outside and inside. The offensive line also needs to be more physical and create more push.
Wide receivers need to step up
We all know the Raiders tight end room is legit, led by Brock Bowers. The tight ends get most of the targets, and rightfully so, but the wide receivers need to step up.
Tre Tucker leads the receivers with 15 catches, and the next receiver, Cody White, has five, three of them touchdowns. The Raiders' starting receiver, Jalon Nailor is out with a concussion, and Jack Bech is on IR. Dont'e Thornton Jr. was back practicing but will not play this weekend. With Nailor and Bech out, Malik Benson and Dareke Young will have room to step up and make plays. Benson has one catch for four yards so far this year, and Young has two catches for 36 yards.
New England will be very shorthanded at cornerback with Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Karon Prunty, and Channing Canada all OUT. This is a perfect opportunity for the Raiders' receivers to step up and make plays in the passing game. The Raiders should test the waters early and exploit the missing corners.
Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins should target the receivers more; they are getting open at times, and he needs to get the ball to them. Cousins locks in on the tight ends, but that is understandable because Cousins is putting up big numbers. So far this season, Cousins has thrown for 1,026 yards and 11 touchdowns. Getting the receivers involved will open up the offense and help the running game.
Force turnovers
Turnovers are a key factor in every game, especially this one. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has turned the ball over nine times this season, with seven interceptions and two fumble losses in four games. The game will feature plenty of one-on-one battles, and the Raiders' receivers will need to win them.
The Raiders have 12 sacks so far this season, and they should dial up the pressure to force Maye into more turnovers. Maxx Crosby and linebacker Nakobe Dean should be licking their chops to get to Maye and force the ball out. If the Raiders win the turnover battle, they could get to 4-1.
The Raiders have what it takes to go to Foxboro and win. They will need to play smart football and force turnovers. Maye will make mistakes; the Raiders will need to capitalize on them to win on the road.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders keys to victory vs Patriots Week 5
