Versus: Jakorian Bennett tasked with keeping up with Dolphins All-Pro speedster

Nov 13, 2024 at 05:00 PM

Levi Edwards

Digital Team Reporter

It's back to business as usual for the Las Vegas Raiders coming off the bye week.

Following their week off, they set their focus on a fast and physical Miami Dolphins team coming off a Week 10 victory on Monday Night Football over the Los Angeles Rams. With quarterback Tua Tagovailoa leading the way, he has a plethora of weapons surrounding him at receiver and in the backfield.

"Those dudes are fast, man, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 [40-yard dash]. I don't think anybody's at a 4.5, I think that's illegal for their scouting department," Head coach Antonio Pierce said Wednesday morning reflecting on his matchup with the Dolphins last season. "But it's real. ... So, just getting those guys going, understanding the tempo and the speed and the efficiency that Tua plays at. I think that was really good, and that's good film for us to go back and now watch as we look at the other four games this year as well."

Here's a few matchups to look out for as the Raiders travel to Miami.

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Jakorian Bennett vs. Tyreek Hill

Jakorian Bennett is enjoying a breakout sophomore campaign for the Silver and Black.

With growing pains and injuries limiting him in 2023, No. 0 has pushed himself into the role of being the team's top cornerback. He's held quarterbacks to a 67.7 passer rating and 52.3 completion percentage as a primary defender, along with being tied with Jack Jones for most pass deflections (eight) on the team.

In his Week 9 matchup lining up against Ja'Marr Chase, the league's leader in receiving touchdowns and receiving yards, Bennett held him to under 50 receiving yards along with an impressive pass breakup in the end zone.

As Bennett is continuing to draw the opposing team's top wideout each week, his toughest challenge to date may come this Sunday against Tyreek Hill.

When it comes to speed on a football field, Hill is in a class of his own. The five-time All-Pro clocked in a league-high 17 plays running over 20 miles per hour in 2023, while leading the league in receiving yards (1,799), receiving touchdowns (13) and being voted No. 1 by his peers on the NFL's Top 100 Players on 2024 list.

Hill's numbers have been down this season, dealing slew of injuries impacting the quarterback room while personally battling with a wrist injury. However, he's racked up 168 yards, 13 catches and a touchdown in his last three games. Also the Dolphins wideout had 10 catches for 146 yards and a touchdown in his last outing against the Raiders in 2023.

Jackson Powers-Johnson vs. Calais Campbell

Who doesn't love a classic rookie vs. vet showdown?

After starting his first five career games at left guard, 2024 second-rounder Jackson Powers-Johnson stepped in to start at center for an injured Andre James. The young offensive lineman displayed the same dominance he had at Oregon playing that position, not allowing a single pressure against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 9. Additionally, he was the second highest graded offensive lineman (90.6) by Pro Football Focus for that week.

"I think the biggest confidence comes with practice. The coaching staff getting me ready, everybody surrounding me supporting me in that position," Powers-Johnson on his Week 9 showing. "Going into that game there wasn't any hesitation or, 'Oh crap, our rookie is playing center.' They all had my back and we were ready to go and I think that's why I had a good game."

Pierce stated Wednesday that while James is still nursing his ankle injury, the expectation is that Powers-Johnson will start at center once again this Sunday.

On the other side of the ball from the rookie, he'll be tasked with blocking perennial Pro Bowler Calais Campbell. He signed with the Dolphins this offseason, now playing his 17th NFL season. Nevertheless, age hasn't been nothing for a number for Campbell.

He currently leads his team in sacks (three) and tackles for loss (eight) while tying for the team-high in pressures (eight), quarterback hits (six) and pass deflections (five). The veteran tackle is known for using his power to bully blockers off the line of scrimmage, which makes for a great matchup against a rookie who's developing a similar reputation.

"He's such a long, big guy who has such great quickness and athleticism," Powers-Johnson on Campbell. "He's strong, he's heavy handed and he's consistent. And that's why you see guys like him and [Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle] Cam Heyward stay in the league for such a long time and do it so well, because they're consistent every play."

Jakobi Meyers vs. Jalen Ramsey

Jakobi Meyers has assumed the role of WR1 over the last few weeks, coming off his best showing this season against the Cincinnati Bengals.

After missing two games with an ankle injury, the Raiders wideout has amassed 14 catches and 18 targets in his last two games – including a season-high 105 receiving yards against the Bengals. He's currently tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (two), proving to be a formidable receiving duo with rookie tight end Brock Bowers.

The Dolphins will more than likely shadow Meyers with their top cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who's made a name for himself taking away his side of the field. Through nine games, he has a 84.4 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus, his highest mark since 2021. Making tackles isn't an issue for the 6-foot-1, 208 pounder either – boasting a 5.4 missed tackle percentage this season.

This matchup could determine how explosive the Raiders offense looks Sunday, with Meyers accounting for 25 first downs receiving this season.

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Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.