These are the three players on the Las Vegas Raiders the Buffalo Bills will need to gameplan for in Week 4.
Last week, the Buffalo Bills had to try to slow down and stop players like Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, and Jared Goff. While the Las Vegas Raiders may not have the same caliber of players, there are plenty on this roster that can take games over.
The Las Vegas Raiders are 2-1 after starting the year with wins over the Carolina Panthers and the New Orleans Saints before their loss last week against the New England Patriots. One of the top storylines is going to be injuries as the Raiders are dealing with injuries at a number of key positions.
Even with the injuries, there will be a number of playmakers that the Buffalo Bills are going to have to gameplan for entering Week 4.
Josh Jacobs
There is no question that the engine that drives this Raiders’ offense is running back Josh Jacobs. The second-year back through the first three games has averaged nearly 84 yards rushing but this season has been much more involved in the passing game.
Last year as a rookie, Jacobs had 20 receptions on 27 targets and in three games this year has 10 receptions on 13 targets. This is going to be an important matchup for Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds picking up Jacobs out of the backfield, especially with Bryan Edwards and potentially Henry Ruggs out for this week.
Darren Waller
Another potential mismatch for the Buffalo Bills in this game is going to be tight end Darren Waller. The Raiders’ tight end is an athletic tight end who has 20 receptions, 159 receiving yards, and one touchdown through the first three games.
The Bills have struggled against tight ends similar to Waller like Mike Gesicki and Tyler Higbee this year although the game for Gesicki came when Edmunds and Milano were both out.
Derek Carr‘s options on the outside are going to be limited so this should be a game where Waller and Jacobs see a majority of the targets in passing situations. It will be on the Bills linebackers, and potentially a safety like Micah Hyde, covering these receivers when they run out for passes.
Maxx Crosby
The Raiders secondary has a number of injuries with the most recent being cornerback Damon Arnette, who has a thumb injury that could force him to miss this game. This was probably the worst time for the Raiders to lose a starting corner with the way the Buffalo Bills offense has moved the ball through the air.
One way to neutralize a passing attack is a good pass rush and the Raiders have a good pass rusher in Maxx Crosby. Last season as a rookie, Crosby finished with 10 sacks and this year already has two sacks with both this past week against the New England Patriots.
Daryl Williams at right tackle has been a pleasant surprise for the Buffalo Bills and this will be a good challenge for the veteran. If he is able to slow Crosby it should spell another big day for quarterback Josh Allen.