If the Raiders want to salvage the season after a slow start, they need a convincing win against one the NFL’s weakest teams. The Raiders can’t afford a loss at home against a team like the Jacksonville Jaguars if they want to be taken seriously in the AFC West.
The Jaguars are a team looking for an identity and are struggling both offensively and defensively. The Raiders are coming off their best game of the year. The Raiders should handle the Jaguars with ease, but the games aren’t played on paper, and Maurice Jones-Drew is capable of putting a team on his back and carrying them to victory.
Stopping Jones-Drew
The biggest focus for the Raiders defense has to be stopping Jones-Drew and not letting him get into space. Jones-Drew is a short running back that also runs with a lower center of gravity, and he’s capable of bouncing off linebackers and safeties.
According to ProFootballFocus.com, the Jaguars are averaging 5.7 yards per carry off left end and 7.3 yards per carry off right end. Matt Shaughnessy and Lamarr Houston will need to do a good job setting the edge and funneling Jones-Drew inside to the tackles and inside linebackers.
Jones-Drew is the best running back the Raiders have faced since Reggie Bush in Week 2. Bush ran for 172 yards that day and got the edge with ease. It’s essential the Raiders don’t repeat that performance, or Jones-Drew could run wild.
The Jaguars are a strong run-blocking team and will use fullback Greg Jones to clean up any miscellaneous defenders. The Raiders can create penetration by attacking center Brad Meester, which should disrupt Jones-Drew and force him to m...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
