Slow down the Raiders’ running game
Anyone who watched the Buffalo Bills game last week could identify that the root cause for the lack of success on defense was because of their inability to stop the run. Buffalo’s defense allowed 167 total rushing yards and 114 yards alone to second-year running back Darrell Henderson. The success the Rams were having with their running attack allowed them to utilize play action in a way that would almost guarantee success anytime it was called. When an opposing team’s running game is that successful, it sucks the linebackers towards the line of scrimmage and opens up the middle of the field for the passing attack off of play-action.
Heading into Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Bills are set to face off against yet another talented second year running back in Josh Jacobs. Through three games of the season, Jacobs has 252 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. Additionally, where he has improved from his rookie season is production in the passing game. Jacobs has 10 receptions for 75 yards so far this year, while he only had 20 receptions in his entire rookie season, so this is quite the improvement being halfway to 20 receptions through only three games.
The Raiders have a particularly strong rushing attack for three reasons, Richie Incognito, Gabe Jackson and Rodney Hudson. Although Incognito is on the Injured Reserve, it will likely be powerful rookie interior blocker John Simpson that will take his place on the Raiders offensive line. These three interior linemen are extremely powerful run blockers that are capable of moving opposing defensive lines back off the line of scrimmage with ease.
The Bills’ defensive line does not matchup particularly well against a big powerful offensive line like this. With Ed Oliver already being limited in practice this week, he is already prototypically undersized for the defensive tackle position. Oliver will have to rely on finesse and technique for success against this Raiders offensive line if he plays this Sunday.
Furthermore, linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano will have to improve on their gap integrity for this Week 4 matchup. Once again, the two linebackers showed their tendency to over pursue and overshoot the run gap instead of stay in the gap they are assigned.