Raiders at Chargers: Key matchups Las Vegas must win in 2022 Week 1

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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 25: Nate Hobbs #39 of the Las Vegas Raiders gets set against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL game at AT&T Stadium on November 25, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /

Raiders at Chargers: Key matchups Las Vegas must win in 2022 Week 1

Nate Hobbs V Keenan Allen

The practice with Davante Adams all camp should pay dividends for Nate Hobbs as he takes on another elite receiver in Keenan Allen in Week 1, who is a very shifty and creative route runner. Allen and Justin Herbert have great chemistry together, and he will see many targets this weekend, and all season long.

With over 1,000 yards in 2021, Allen has placed himself in the conversation of the great receivers in the NFL.

Hobbs should welcome the challenge and show that his rookie year was not a fluke, as he looks to build upon it and possibly be a Pro Bowl-caliber player in Year 2. Hobbs is very young, being in his second season, and Allen should be able to make plays against him, but how many?

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: (EDITORS NOTE - This image has been converted to black and white) Oakland Raiders helmet is seen on the field after the game between Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 06, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

Las Vegas Raiders: Players who could exceed expectations in 2022

The Las Vegas Raiders are looking to make consecutive trips to the playoffs in 2022, and some players will need to exceed expectations to do so.

As we saw last year, Hobbs plays with a chip on his shoulder, and will not be scared to play bump and run with Allen along with taking on the task of shadowing him in man. Allen is going to have his moments, but if Hobbs can limit the damage, he has more than done his part to help this team get out to a 1-0 start to the 2022 campaign.

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