4 reasonable expectations for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021 Week 4

Sep 26, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) attempts to catch a pass in the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Allegiant Stadium.The Raiders defeated the Dolphins 31-28 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) attempts to catch a pass in the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Allegiant Stadium.The Raiders defeated the Dolphins 31-28 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 17: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers drops back to pass during the NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 17, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chargers defeated the Raiders in overtime 30-27. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 17: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers drops back to pass during the NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 17, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chargers defeated the Raiders in overtime 30-27. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

4 reasonable expectations for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021 Week 4

Getting to Justin Herbert consistently

The Raiders have been among the league leaders in QB pressures and knockdowns but are a bit behind in sacks so far this season but still have 7 in 3 games. They rank fifth, third, and seventh in each category respectively, and are lead by Solomon Thomas and Maxx Crosby in sacks and knockdowns.

This sustained pressure was the key to winning all three games so far and it’s no different against a young and dynamic quarterback in Herbert.

Justin Herbert has been sacked five times this season and his offensive line has struggled to keep him upright at times. LA has spent a lot of money and draft capital on building up that offensive line but they have a major gap at RT in Storm Norton who has been abused in most matchups so far.

He gave up one sack and six pressures to Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys so a more polished pass rusher like Maxx Crosby will be licking his chops at the prospect of lining up against him. We have seen Gus Bradley use a variety of pass rushers against right tackles but he will look to pit strength against weakness and that’s Crosby against Norton.

If they can get to Herbert consistently and force him into some errant throws and mistakes, that should make slowing down this powerhouse offense that much easier.