Las Vegas Raiders Wild Card vs Bengals: A few bold predictions

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CINCINNATI, OHIO – JANUARY 02: Joe Mixon #28 of the Cincinnati Bengals is introduced before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Paul Brown Stadium on January 02, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders Wild Card vs Bengals: A few bold predictions

Raiders will keep Joe Mixon out of the endzone

The Raiders’ run defense was a joke early on in the season, but that narrative has changed. In their most recent game against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Silver and Black held Austin Ekeler to just 64 yards on the ground and gave up an 11-yard play to Justin Jackson. Though Ekeler did bulldoze his way to one touchdown, the run game was mostly kept in check by Bradley’s defense. When Mixon went up against this unit, it was a different time, literally and figuratively. The Raiders’ defense has been rock solid since Mixon ran for two touchdowns and averaged 4.10 yards per carry in November.

The week after facing the Raiders, Mixon totaled 165 rushing yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, he has since slowed down considerably. He never crossed the 100-yard mark again. The closest he got was in Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens, totaling 65 yards. With the offense now clicking for the Raiders, especially on the ground, it’s unlikely the defense will get gassed the way it did back in November. Even if they surrender some yardage to Mixon, Denzel Perryman and co. won’t let him find the endzone in this one.

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