After a 45-17 loss to the New England Patriots in Foxboro last week, the Las Vegas Raiders won't have an easier path this week either. On Sunday, the Raiders will host the Buffalo Bills, fresh off their overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams. The Raiders will have a tough time winning, but a path to victory exists.
Get ground game going
The Raiders have struggled to run the ball this season. Las Vegas is last in the league in rushing yards per carry, averaging 3.0 yards per rush. Running back Ashton Jeanty averages just 3.3 yards per carry.
The Bills are currently 15th against the run, giving up 108.2 yards per game. They give up 3.9 yards per carry. So there might be a little run if the Raiders' offensive line steps up and Jeanty can push through his injuries.
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Raiders need to mix up gap and zone schemes to get the ground game going as well as get Mike Washington Jr. more carries. Unfortunately this could be dependent upon their ability to stretch the field with the pass to loosen up the Bills' defense and keep them from stacking the box.
Contain Josh Allen
In Monday night's game against the Rams, Allen passed for 210 yards and one touchdown while rushing for 121 yards and one touchdown. Allen can beat you with his arm and legs.
The Raiders will need to pressure Allen early and often. Max Crosby needs to pressure Allen, but more importantly, the interior defensive line needs to collapse the pocket to flush Allen out to Crosby, Malcolm Koonce, and Kwity Paye. Tonka Hemingway is in the concussion protocol and if he misses the game, it will be up to the combination of Adam Butler, Folorunso Fatukasi, Jonah Laulu, and Thomas Booker IV to stay in rush lanes to keep Allen in check.
The Raiders will also need to mix coverages and diffuse press to force mistakes from Allen. He will turn the ball over at times. They may also want to use zone on key downs so Allen can't extend drives by running for first downs.
Attack the Bills weak secondary
The Bills' pass defense is 31st in the league, giving up 280.4 yards per game. It would be a good opportunity for the Raiders to get the ball downfield, but you could have said the same about last week -- in fact we did --, and the Raiders failed to take advantage.
Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins is off to a good start, passing for 1,269 yards (8th in the NFL) and 12 touchdowns (tied for second in the NFL) and, not surprisingly, TE Brock Bowers has been his favorite target. Puka Nacua torched the Bills' secondary Monday night, catching 17 passes for 138 yards and one touchdown. Maybe Bowers could have a similar game.
Also, the Raiders will have one opportunity to get their receivers open. With the Bills' struggling defense, the Raiders will have to push the ball downfield, and Tre Tucker has 19 catches for 274 yards. Jalon Nailor should be back this week from his concussion and it's time for him to start earning his money. Getting Donte Thornton Jr. back on the field would help as well as he has the size and speed to get deep.
Slow down James Cook
James Cook has 532 rushing yards, third in the NFL. The Raiders are 27th in rushing defense, giving up 140.6 yards per game.
The Raiders' defensive line needs to do a better job setting the edge and getting off blocks. Also, they need to tackle much better. It will take a full team effort to slow down Cook.
Cook will also put the ball on the ground; he has fumbled four times this season, so the Raiders should look to poke the ball out, but they need to secure the tackle first.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders keys to victory vs Bills Week 6
