Pick Six: Defense keeping a mentality of not allowing Lamar Jackson to 'break our backs'

Sep 13, 2024 at 02:45 PM

Levi Edwards

Digital Team Reporter

1. Limiting "Action Jackson"

While the Raiders have given Lamar Jackson his flowers throughout the week, the admiration stops as soon as they step on the field.

The reigning NFL MVP is coming off a Week 1 showing against the Kansas City Chiefs where he accounted for 395 of the Ravens' 452 total yards of offense. His scrambling ability makes him one of the toughest quarterbacks to face in the game. Davante Adams mentioned even he's studied Jackson's tape to improve his ability to pick up yards after catch.

"Dude changed the game," Adams said. "In my opinion, he's the best ball carrier ever, no matter what position you want to talk about. I don't think anybody's as big of a threat to carry the football. ... He's a huge threat, somebody you've got to be accountable for out there and make sure you know what he's doing and getting on the film of that."

Head Coach Antonio Pierce compared game planning for Jackson to his days as a player facing Michael Vick. Vick, a four-time Pro Bowler, holds the record for most career rushing yards by a quarterback (6,109) while Jackson is 730 rushing yards away from taking the record.

"This isn't a game where you run around the quarterback 10-15 yards up the field. That's going to be bad ball," Pierce said Friday. "We've talked about it, we've talked about cage rushing, talked about gap integrity, pushing the pocket. I mean, there's a lot of success with Lamar at times when you do it the right way. Now, you're dealing with an elite athlete and he's going to make plays, and we've got to understand that. And we've got to move on, right? He's going to bust a run; he's done it every game of his career. But we can't let him break our backs doing it throughout the game."

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2. Stepping up on the edge

Tyree Wilson has officially been ruled out for Sunday's game with a knee injury.

With the defensive line losing Malcolm Koonce going into Week 1 and now Wilson heading into Baltimore, they'll have to depend on Janarius Robinson and Charles Snowden to play off the edge opposite of Maxx Crosby. Robinson and Snowden combined for 54 defensive snaps last Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.

"My mindset is always to be the best player I can be," Robinson said. "In order to do that, I put myself great in positions. Whether that's learning the playbook or focusing on little details within the run or the pass – doing all that I need to do to put myself in the best situation to help his team out."

According to Pierce, recent practice squad signing K'Lavon Chaisson has looked good in the few days he's been with the team. Chaisson be promoted to the active roster for Sunday's game if the team feels they need more depth. Chaisson was a 2020 first-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars, appearing in 17 games and recording two sacks last season.

3. Minshew Mania in Baltimore?

Quarterback Gardner Minshew II has had recent success in Baltimore. Will he be able to eke out a win again?

In Week 3 of the 2023 season with the Indianapolis Colts, Minshew took down the Ravens, 22-19, in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. Despite being sacked five times, Minshew threw for 227 yards and a touchdown with no turnovers.

"That's been one of those consistent teams in the league over the past several years," Minshew said about the Ravens. "I've been able to play them a few times and they always present a lot of challenges. They're so stout against the run, they really trust their front to stop the run, and then they've got really smart players in the back end that get around the ball and create turnovers. So, I think the challenge is to take care of the ball, like I said from last week, keeping us on track, and putting us in good third downs."

Minshew has completed over 67 percent of his passes with 453 passing yards and a 3:0 touchdown-interception ratio in his two games played against the Ravens in his career.

4. The return of rookie linebacker

Tommy Eichenberg will be active Sunday, per Coach Pierce.

The rookie linebacker from Ohio State has been nursing a knee injury that forced him to miss all of the preseason and Week 1 against the Chargers. After being a limited participant last week in practice, he's practiced in a full capacity this week. Pierce confirmed that the fifth-round pick will be used primarily on special teams this week as he continues to get back in football shape.

"I'm just really focused on doing my job," Eichenberg said. "Whatever the coaches ask of me to do, I'll do it to the best of my ability. It's been awhile since I've been back on the field so I'm really pumped."

5. High volume day for No. 17?

Davante Adams is on the verge of adding another milestone to his illustrious career.

The former All-Pro receiver needs one more game with 10 receptions to surpass Antonio Brown (23 games) for the most such games in NFL history. Adams' last game with 10 receptions was in Week 17 of 2023 against the Indianapolis Colts where he notched 13 receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns.

Adams hit the halfway mark in Week 1 with five receptions, but expect for the ball to continue going his way against a tough Baltimore defense.

"Player ran business. I've always said that. I said it the day I took over last year," Pierce said. "I mean, we're good when our best players are playing really well, right? When Davante Adams, Jakobi [Meyers], Big Mike [Michael Mayer], Brock [Bowers], Zamir [White]. ... [W]hen those guys are making plays, typically, it's a good day for the Raiders. And that's what it's going to come down to this game, right?"

6. What happened last time

While it was three seasons ago with a vastly different roster, the Las Vegas Raiders took down the Baltimore Ravens, 33-27, in their 2021 season opener with a walk-off touchdown in overtime to electrify Allegiant Stadium.

Maxx Crosby was a difference maker in that contest, finishing with six total tackles, four quarterback hits and two sacks. He was also named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts. While Lamar Jackson accounted for 321 total yards in that contest, he fumbled the ball three times against the Raiders.

"My hat's off to him. He was high motor," Jackson said earlier this week, reflecting on facing Crosby. "He was just going at it all game. I was like, 'This man here.' ... I was laughing with Maxx. He was trying to get after me, and I was talking trash back. He was like, 'But I love your game, Lamar,' and stuff like that. But he's a great edge rusher."

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II's (15) pads and helmet during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.