Las Vegas Raiders Wild Card vs Cincinnati Bengals: 3 things to watch

Nov 21, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) celebrates a second half touchdown with teammate Darren Waller (83) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) celebrates a second half touchdown with teammate Darren Waller (83) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Raiders vs Bengals
Nov 21, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) scores a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Las Vegas Raiders Wild Card vs Cincinnati Bengals: 3 things to watch

Joe Mixon vs the Raiders defense

The Bengals are led by their second-year quarterback Joe Burrow — however, in Week 11, this was not the case whatsoever.

Burrow was held in check in Vegas and only managed to throw for 148 yards in the last meeting.

The same could not be said for the Bengals running back Joe Mixon. The 25-year-old back torched the Raiders to the tune of 123 yards and two touchdowns. The running game carried the Bengals to victory, and the Raiders surely did not forget the embarrassment the back placed upon them in the last encounter.

Since the stellar play of Mixon, the Raiders have only allowed one 100-yard rushing game since. That is six of their last seven games only allowing a 100-yard rushing performance, and the silver lining in that is even more indicative in the fact it was allowed to the leading rusher in all of the NFL, in Jonathan Taylor of the Colts.

This Raider defense is hugely improved, especially against the run, and will look to show just much how they have grown and adapted since the last meeting against Mixon and the Bengals.