Raiders X-Factors against the Bengals in the Wild Card round

Raiders X-Factors against the Bengals in the Wild Card round

Stopping the Run

We have been beating the drum here all week about how important it is for the Raiders defense to stop a running back in Joe Mixon who ran all over them in Week 11.

When looking at the Bengals, the 2021 season numbers suggest that the pass is the most dangerous portion of this Cincinnati offense. But if you saw what transpired that Sunday afternoon in Vegas, you would have witnessed a passing game that took a backseat to a running game spearheaded by a bruising back in Mixon who went for over 120 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

It is truly difficult to figure out the game-plan of this Bengal offense. They are dangerous in both pass and running, and even though Mixon manhandled the Raider defense, he has only gone over the 100-yards rushing in three games this season, but this is mainly due to a passing attack that typically takes precedent in terms of volume weekly.

If we look back on what worked for the Bengals though, it was indeed the run in the first meeting, so keep an eye on this defense to try and stop Mixon, because like the old saying states — “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”