Watching the Las Vegas Raiders' run defense this season has not been for the faint of heart.
Rob Leonard's unit struggles in pretty much every facet, but they rank dead last in the NFL in total rushing yards allowed and are 31st in yards per attempt allowed. And it won't get any easier when the Seattle Seahawks travel in to face the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Week 10.
One may look at the Seahawks' numbers (18th in total rushing yards, 25th in yards per attempt) and think that Las Vegas gets a reprieve on Sunday. But that is not the case at all, as Seattle's running back room has been beat up all year. Of course, they are healthy in time to face the Raiders, though.
While everyone remembers Kenneth Walker III being the star of Klint Kubiak's rushing attack last season, and folks were fixated on the talented young rookie Jadarian Price taking his place in 2026, it is actually returner Zach Charbonnet who Las Vegas may need to worry about the most.
He is perennially underrated but the kind of player who can wreak havoc on Leonard's group.
Raiders should have all eyes on Seahawks' Zach Charbonnet in Week 10
Charbonnet was always the bridesmaid in the Seahawks' running back room, but he is finally starting to stand at the altar. After tearing his ACL late last season, he was reinserted into the lineup back in Week 8, at the same time Price was, and Charbonnet has separated himself from the rookie.
In their first game together, Price ran 10 times for just 29 yards, but Charbonnet ran much more efficiently - 6 times for 23 yards. He was rewarded for that in the following contest, as Charbonnet got 16 carries compared to Price's 9. The former ran for 77 yards, and the latter logged just 24.
So far this season, Charbonnet is averaging 4.5 yards per attempt. Price is averaging 3.7, but in his three most recent games, he has managed just 3.0, 2.9 and 2.7. His yards per carry numbers have gone down in each of his five games this season, which is not a good thing for Price.
If we're being honest, both will likely have success against Las Vegas. The Raiders' defense can't stop a nosebleed, let alone a talented young running back duo with an above-average offensive line. But Charbonnet should scare the Silver and Black more because of his skill set.
Whereas Price can juke defenders and run around them, Charbonnet is just going to go through them. And contrary to what it feels like when watching, Las Vegas' defense isn't terrible in the missed tackles department; their issues are getting mauled over and dragged for longer gains.
That's what Charbonnet is going to do. He is a north-south runner who lowers his shoulder and keeps his legs moving to churn out extra yards. Charbonnet will run right off his blockers and attack the hole without hesitation, giving a Raiders defensive tackle room that will be pushed around no chance.
He has also forced five missed tackles this season in 22 carries, and Charbonnet forced 46 a season ago. In short-yardage situations, the Seahawks can pretty much give it to him and not worry about anything else. And near the goal line? Good luck, Raiders.
Unfortunate as it is, the Silver and Black don't seem to have much of a solution to slow him down. But there are a few things that they have in their back pocket to at least attempt to mitigate his impact.
How can Las Vegas slow down Seattle RB Zach Charbonnet?
One thing that the Raiders have working for them is that Kubiak knows Charbonnet very well. While he was only there for one year, Charbonnet did have the best season of his career under Kubiak, so Las Vegas' head coach knows his strengths. But he also knows his weaknesses.
Kubiak can give Leonard all the information that he can handle as to how to attack Charbonnet or how to attack the offense when he is in the game. If the Raiders can miraculously expose some Seattle shortcomings with Charbonnet on the field, then they won't be able to play him as much.
And that would take care of that.
But in reality, Leonard's unit is not adept enough to stop someone even when it has an advantage. So, the best option may be to load extra players into the box and force backup quarterback Drew Lock to beat them. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is an issue, but no other Seahawks pass-catchers should scare them.
Offensively, Kubiak and Co. must figure out a way to get the run game going and start out hot. If the Raiders can play from ahead and control the clock in this game, then that would leave Seattle's offense with an unfavorable game script and a need to throw the ball more.
It is entirely possible that none of this works, and that either Charbonnet or Price, probably both, runs all over Las Vegas. But if they want to have a prayer of slowing him down, it's all about listening to Kubiak's intel, stacking the box and controlling the tempo on offense.
Easier said than done.
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