4.) Josh Jacobs
In order for the Bills’ defense to pressure Garoppolo and make him win by himself, the Bills will need to be able to contain the league’s defending rushing champion from a season ago in Josh Jacobs. In Week 1 against the Broncos, Jacobs struggled to get anything going on the ground, only gaining 48 yards off 19 carries with his longest run of seven yards.
The Bills’ defense against the run versus the Jets was shredded by Breece Hall who ran for 127 yards which included an 83 yard run in the first half.
If the Bills are going to be able to keep the Raiders’ offense from gaining any momentum, it starts with stopping Jacobs to make Garoppolo win through the air. Aside from Jacobs, the Raiders have not displayed any other running threat which means Sean McDermott will be able to game plan for run true running attack in Jacobs. It’s quite simple…stop the run and the Raiders’ offense becomes limited.