Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos: 3 Bold Predictions for Week 6
Bold Prediction 1: Darren Waller gets back on track
Darren Waller started the 2021 NFL season about as well as any player possibly could. In Week 1, Waller shredded the Ravens’ defense in primetime. The star tight end posted ten receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown, on an absurd 19 targets. Derek Carr was feeding Waller at every turn, even overtly forcing the ball to him in several situations.
Since then, though, Waller has combined for just 18 receptions for 214 yards and has only added one touchdown to his totals. Even more surprising, Waller has only been targeted a combined 29 times in those four games. This means that almost 40% of Waller’s entire target sum comes from Week 1’s victory over the Ravens.
If the Raiders want to improve the success that they have had on the offensive side of the football going forward, Darren Waller must be more involved in the game plan. The Broncos have fared quite well this season against tight ends, but they did surrender five receptions and 67 yards to Mark Andrews, the only top tight end talent the Broncos have seen this season when Denver faced Baltimore in Week 4.
It wouldn’t be a bad thing for this Raiders offense, after losing their play-caller, to get back to basics a little bit this weekend. Look for Darren Waller to have a big game on Sunday and get his season back on track.