3 Indianapolis Colts the Las Vegas Raiders should worry about in Week 14

3 Indianapolis Colts the Las Vegas Raiders should worry about in Week 14

Offensive Tackle Braden Smith

Braden Smith is one of the best tackles in the league right now, and it’s not even a close conversation. Smith played 38 passing snaps last week, going up against J.J Watt for 29 of those, and didn’t allow a single pressure. Smith is a player that will lock down the right side of the ball while also providing an anchor for the running game.

Although Smith isn’t the biggest right tackle at 6’6″ 315 pounds, he makes up for it with consistency. On the season, he’s played on 441 passing snaps and hasn’t allowed a sack and only one hit, while only committing three holding penalties.

Let it also be known he played nearly 45 passing snaps against Khalil Mack, who Raiders’ fans know is a pass-rushing monster and didn’t allow a single pressure.

Smith is a fantastic blocker and will presumably be going at it with Maxx Crosby all day. Crosby is the best pass rusher on this Raiders team, although they did get great production from fellow second-year defensive lineman Clelin Ferrell against the Jets.

With only 33 pressures on the season so far, Crosby will have a tough matchup with Smith, who’s one of the best at his job. This is why Ferrell needs to pressure Rivers against third-string tackle Chaz Green.

In this must-win game, the Raiders need to do a few things if they want to put themselves in a position to come away with the victory. If the Raiders want to win, they need to contain Nyheim Hines, make sure Buckner doesn’t disrupt the passing lanes, and Crosby needs to get past Braden Smith for a couple of pressures.