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Consistent AJ Cole, Punt Return game key to Raiders success

By Justin Gordon

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) muffs a punt return in the third quarter during an NFL AFC wild-card playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Las Vegas Raiders, 26.19. to win the franchiseÕs first playoff game in 30 years.Las Vegas Raiders At Cincinnati Bengals Jan 15 Afc Wild Card Game
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) muffs a punt return in the third quarter during an NFL AFC wild-card playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Las Vegas Raiders, 26.19. to win the franchiseÕs first playoff game in 30 years.Las Vegas Raiders At Cincinnati Bengals Jan 15 Afc Wild Card Game /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 09: A.J. Cole #6 and Jermaine Eluemunor #72 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrate during overtime against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on January 09, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 09: A.J. Cole #6 and Jermaine Eluemunor #72 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrate during overtime against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on January 09, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Consistent AJ Cole, Punt Return game key to Raiders success

The Punting Game

Davante Adams and Darren Waller have been bracketed in coverage on third down. Derek Carr’s intended pass for Adams on a comeback is broken up and it’s now fourth down in your own territory. Some might panic, but if you’re LV, you know what’s good.

You know that you can count on fourth-year punter AJ Cole and his battery mate Trent Sieg.

In 2021, Cole averaged 50 yards per punt, an NFL-best. In several categories, he finished among the best last season: inside the 20 (5th, 28), longest punt (T-4th, 71 yards), total yards (7th, 3,202 yards). Cole has the leg to flip the field for his team and also put pressure on opposing offenses by making them play left-handed and shrinking their playbook by placing teams in difficult situations.

That’s where the biggest improvements can be made on this unit moving forward, the coverage aspect. Last season, LV’s punt unit finished 28th in punt return yards allowed with 341.

Improvement: It could be scheme, missed tackles, personnel issues, or all the above but whatever it is it must be fixed for LV to make a deep playoff push. Lower that return yardage number and Cole will continue to boom punts and if the coverage aspect can improve, this unit can be one of the best in the league.

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