The Buffalo Bills have a clear rushing-game opportunity Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders: Buffalo running back James Cook faces a defense that has allowed 2.59 yards before contact per rush, according to Locked On Bills host Joe Marino. Marino identified the number as the NFL’s highest mark and argued it gives Cook a chance to exploit a front that opponents have regularly moved off the ball.
Cook enters Week 6 with 532 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 95 carries. Marino said the Bills also lead the NFL in yards before contact when they run the football, creating a matchup in which Buffalo’s offensive line can establish the game early rather than asking Josh Allen to repeatedly attack a Raiders pass rush led by Maxx Crosby.
Las Vegas has allowed explosive runs on 16% of opponent attempts, the second-highest rate in the league, Marino said. That puts more than efficiency at stake for Buffalo. Successful early-down runs could keep the offense ahead of schedule, limit Crosby’s opportunities to affect the pocket and force the Raiders to commit more resources to the box.
Marino also stressed ball security after Las Vegas produced takeaways on 17% of defensive drives. The Raiders piled up nine takeaways during their three-game winning streak before recording one across losses to the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots. Cook’s workload may be central to Buffalo’s plan, but the Bills cannot turn a favorable trench matchup into extra possessions for the Raiders.
Buffalo visits Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 18, with kickoff scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS.
Bills News and Notes
– Raiders tight end Brock Bowers remains the priority for Buffalo’s defense. Marino said Las Vegas can funnel its offense through Bowers, making it important for the Bills to force Kirk Cousins toward other options.
– Buffalo defensive linemen Deone Walker, T.J. Sanders and DeWayne Carter have a favorable interior matchup, according to Marino. He pointed to Raiders guards Spencer Burford and Jackson Powers-Johnson as potential pressure points for a defense trying to disrupt Cousins’ quick-release rhythm.
– Bills tackle Spencer Brown’s matchup with Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby also looms large, if Brown is available after leaving Monday’s game with a back injury. Marino called Crosby the defender most capable of taking over the game, which raises the value of Buffalo’s run-game success and protection plan.
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