The last time Buffalo paid a visit to Allegiant Stadium, the Bills played in front of empty seats. It was in 2020, during COVIS when the Raiders’ new home could not admit fans. Sunday’s clash will have a very different atmosphere.
Las Vegas needs standout individual performances, unlike what it got in New England. Four matchups in particular are worth looking out for, and the Raiders have an opportunity in each one if they handle the details very well.
Maxx Crosby vs. Josh Allen's escape routes
Crosby has generated 36 quarterback pressures in the last five games, including 20 in the Raiders' two home games, per the team's Week 6 preview. He has been difficult to keep away from quarterbacks at Allegiant Stadium.
Allen is tied for the NFL lead with 21 completions gaining at least 20 yards,
and he has rushed for 239 yards. Which presents a different kind of problem for Crosby who has to not only get into the backfield, but do so without giving Allen an easy escape lanes. One missed tackle or a defender abandoning his rush assignment could turn a promising stop into a first down.
Raiders pass protection vs Greg Rousseau
Likewise, Buffalo can create similar trouble at the other end. Rousseau is credited with 43 pressures, tied for the league lead, and is second in the NFL with six sacks. He also blocked a field-goal attempt against the Rams on Monday night (a stark reminder of the problems his length can cause), earning him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Kirk Cousins was sacked three times in New England, and the problems up front can't be dismissed as a one-week issue. Kolton Miller and DJ Glaze need to keep Rousseau from taking over a drive. Their help calls and communication will be as important as any one block.
Taron Johnson vs. Khalil Shakir
This matchup has some bit of history behind it. Johnson spent eight seasons in Buffalo before the Bills traded him to Las Vegas in March. He knows the receiver he could see in the slot and the kind of routes Buffalo likes to create over the middle.
Shakir turned a short pass into a 57-yard gain in overtime against the Rams. Johnson cannot depend on familiarity alone to contain him, especially when Shakir catches the ball with open field ahead. And you never know when that first tackle may be the most important one in the entire game.
Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker vs. Bills ground game
The Bills average 158 rushing yards per game, fifth in the NFL. James Cook can pile up yards between the tackles, while Allen can turn a passing down into a run when coverage holds. Dean and Walker will need to stay disciplined even when Buffalo's formations invite them to chase.
The Raiders' defense had trouble getting off the field against New England, and the changes in the secondary earlier this season show how quickly roles can shift. But the challenge here starts with the linebackers. If they force Buffalo into longer third downs, Crosby gets more opportunities to rush Allen without worrying so much about the run.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: 4 key matchups to watch in Raiders vs. Bills Week 6
