The Raiders are reeling. After a 3-0 start, Las Vegas has dropped two straight games and the defense has been torched. With the Bills coming to town, the defense won’t get much of a break this week.
Over the last two weeks the Raiders have the least efficient defense in the NFL. Las Vegas ranks 32nd in expected points added on defense in Weeks 4 and 5. Notably, the run defense has been rough.
Kenneth Walker ripped off 177 yards in the Chiefs’ win over the Raiders. Kansas City averaged 7.3 yards per carry in that game. Last week, the Patriots did whatever they wanted to the Raiders’ defense, including running for 165 yards. Even third-string running back Corey Kiner rushed for 52 yards on just six carries.
The Raiders’ run defense has been eviscerated in consecutive games, making the great start to the season feel like a distant memory.
Unfortunately for the Raiders, the Bills bring one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL. The Bills are fourth in the NFL in EPA per play on running plays (which doesn’t even include Josh Allen scrambling). The Bills are also top five in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and yards per carry.
Between James Cook and Josh Allen, Buffalo has the third-leading rusher in the NFL and the quarterback with the most yards on the ground.
Interior Defensive Line
Las Vegas may be shorthanded along the defensive line this weekend too. Tonka Hemingway missed practice on Wednesday due to a concussion he suffered against the Patriots. Hemingway has played the most snaps among Raiders’ defensive tackles this season. He also has the third-most run stops on the team, according to Pro Football Focus.
If the Raiders are going to slow down the Bills’ rushing attack, the interior of the defensive line will have to have a big performance. Foley Fatukasi has been one of the better run defenders on the team, while Adam Butler is coming off a productive game in New England. Las Vegas routinely rotates through their defensive tackles, as none of them have played 60 percent of the defensive snaps this season. Finding the right combination will be critical on Sunday.
The second level will also be important. Linebacker Nakobe Dean leads the Raiders in run stops this season, but he also has the most missed tackles. His fellow linebacker, Quay Walker, has not been very good in run defense on the season.
