Las Vegas Raiders X-Factors against the Saints in 2022 Week 8

Las Vegas Raiders X-Factors against the Saints in 2022 Week 8

Can Las Vegas’ secondary hold its own

Giving up 300+ yards to Davis Mills last week should be concerning, and now Las Vegas heads on the road against a Saints team with better offensive weapons. Granted, Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry may not be suiting up for this week’s matchup, but the Raiders must still account for rising rookie wideout Chris Olave on the outside.

Olave has three games with 80+ receiving yards so far this season, and he’s coming off a season-best seven catches for 106 yards against the Cardinals last week. Even if Thomas and Landry are back in the lineup, it’s no secret that the Saints rookie is quietly making the case as New Orleans WR1, and the matchup with the Raiders secondary could play in his favor.

Las Vegas Raiders: 5 biggest surprises of 2022 thus far

The Las Vegas Raiders are 2-4 entering Week 8, and here, we look at the biggest surprises of the 2022 season thus far entering the Saints game.

Through seven weeks Las Vegas’ defense ranks 27th in passing yards per game allowed (262.7) and 26th in passing yards per reception allowed (7.2). The Raiders’ defense is also dealing with injuries with Nate Hobbs absent, and they have also been plagued with struggles in coverage. While many eyes will be on how well the offense performs, it will all be for naught if the defense can’t avoid being burned through the air.