The Raiders are traveling to Cincinnati this weekend for their first playoff appearance since 2016, and here are some X-factors.
The one positive about the 32-13 thumping the Cincinnati Bengals gave the Raiders in Week 11 was that it ended up being the end of a three-game losing stretch.
Looking for more other positives inside of this horrific performance would be far and few — however, the Silver and Black are a rejuvenated bunch at the moment, looking the part of a playoff-caliber team during a four-game winning streak as they look to exact revenge on the Bengals.
Several factors will need to go in favor of Las Vegas for the franchise to march to its first postseason victory in two decades, but it is not impossible, even if the Bengals are a very formidable foe, and pose a huge threat to this uncanny magical run the Raiders are currently on.
Let’s take a look into a few X-Factors that will be key for a Raider victory.
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.”
Raiders X-Factors against the Bengals in the Wild Card round
Run the Ball
On the defensive side of the spectrum, the Raiders need to stop the run right? Well, they also need to figure out a way to get their own ground game going if they want to advance to the next round of the playoffs.
Running back Josh Jacobs is officially a factor again in this Raider offense. After a season in which he has truly struggled, the last few weeks have truly been a change of pace. Jacobs has rushed for 100-yards or more in two of his three last contests, which had been a far cry in a season when he had not toppled the 100-yard plateau once this season, before his recent outings.
The Raider passing game has become stagnant as of late, and it may see a significant improvement with a full bill of health in the receiving corps, but the onus will likely be on Jacobs to run this team into the next round.
Josh Jacobs will indeed be a huge X-Factor for this Raider offense in this playoff clash, look for the Raiders to get the ball early and often into the hands of their third-year back, and 25-30 carries will likely be in the cards for Jacobs.
Raiders X-Factors against the Bengals in the Wild Card round
Darren Waller
First off, we must give wide receiver Hunter Renfrow his flowers. In a turbulent season for the Raiders receiving unit, which is due to several factors we won’t touch upon, Renfrow has been a breath of fresh air, and by far the most prolific and dependable target for quarterback Derek Carr.
When looking over the last few weeks, teams have zeroed in on the talented slot receiver in Renfrow, and although Zay Jones has become a somewhat reliable option, this team will need to get tight end Darren Waller involved in a heavy way to taste victory on Saturday.
Waller, a 2020 Pro Bowl selection at tight end, was head and shoulders above the rest of the Raiders inert group of receivers last season. This season, the rise of Renfrow has been well documented, but the most talented of the bunch is still Waller.
Injuries and a recent COVID-19 positive test for Waller had kept the talented tight end out of the last five contests before he made his return in a shallow and uninspiring way in Week 18.
Now with the rust off and more time to rest up and get healthy, the expectation is not only will Waller return to form, but the rapport between himself and Derek Carr will also be returning.
Carr needs to trust and rely heavily upon his dominating tight end, as this secondary will once again try to nullify the shifty route running ability of Renfrow.
Las Vegas Raiders to watch in their Wild Card matchup vs Cincinnati
If you are still catching your breath from the Raiders thrilling and stressful victory over the Chargers, well you do not have much time to recover.
Darren Waller will be a key X-Factor for a Raider offense that needs to not only give more help to Renfrow, but give Derek Carr the ability to stretch the field beyond one option, and hopefully get this once-dominant passing attack back to where it once stood.