Versus: Preparing for the game within a game of containing Lamar Jackson

Sep 11, 2024 at 03:46 PM

Levi Edwards

Digital Team Reporter

It's now on to Week 2 for the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Silver and Black are coming off a tough 22-10 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers with the hopes of turning things around against the Baltimore Ravens. The Raiders will be entering a hostile environment at M&T Bank Stadium as this is the Ravens' home opener.

This game will be defined in the trenches, with both teams looking to get their run game going. Here are three matchups that could determine the outcome this Sunday.

Christian Wilkins vs. Tyler Linderbaum

Christian Wilkins looked as advertised in his Silver and Black debut.

The defensive tackle finished with five total tackles, tied for second most on the team, and a 59 percent run stop win rate, according to ESPN. His showing was even more impressive considering he played all but three defensive snaps and was double teamed on 64 percent of pass plays.

"[O]nce you look at the tape and once you take a step back from it all, you can start to process those things a little bit," Wilkins said Monday. "Even sometimes when you win, you don't play great. You don't play perfect. Obviously, that's what you want, win and loss columns, but there are things to find. There are positives or lessons to learn from when [we] win, loss, or draw."

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One thing that showed up on tape was Wilkins' ability to shed blocks. His speed and instincts allowed him to create pressure and make plays at the line of scrimmage. This Sunday, he'll need to accomplish the same against one of the league's best centers: Tyler Linderbaum.

The 2023 Pro Bowler had an exceptional Week 1 showing against the Kansas City Chiefs. He had a 100 percent pass blocking win rate, according to ESPN, and a 99 pass blocking efficiency rating from Pro Football Focus. Considering how heavily involved quarterback Lamar Jackson is in the Ravens' passing and rushing game, Wilkins getting in the backfield will be crucial.

"He's definitely as good as it gets, as dynamic as it gets," Wilkins said of Jackson. "The definition of a dual threat. He presents a great challenge to any defense in this league. I'm sure the coaches will work hard. Pat [Graham] will work hard to get a good game plan together, so that way we can try and limit some of those things that he does."

The highest-graded Raiders in Week 1 vs the Chargers:

🥇 Robert Spillane - 84.0
🥈 John Jenkins - 83.6
🥉 Dylan Parham - 83.2
🏅 Christian Wilkins - 80.8
🏅 Maxx Crosby - 76.5 pic.twitter.com/OsCt3t9mzj
— PFF Las Vegas Raiders (@PFF_Raiders) September 9, 2024

Robert Spillane vs. Lamar Jackson

While we're on the topic of Lamar Jackson, he can be a real problem for defenses.

The reigning NFL MVP is arguably one of the best dual threat quarterbacks in the league, going for 3,678 passing yards, 821 rushing yards and 29 total touchdowns in 2023. There's seemingly no drop off from last year either. He started off the season with 395 yards combined passing and rushing plus threw a 49-yard touchdown to Isaiah Likely against the Chiefs.

Jackson has to ability to run past the front seven on any given occasion and that's why Robert Spillane will be critical this Sunday.

The Raiders linebacker, who led the team in tackles in 2023, had an outstanding showing against the Chargers. While playing smart and physical sideline to sideline football, he finished the Week 1 contest with 10 total tackles. He was also graded the highest of any Raider last week (84) by PFF with four defensive stops. With Jackson being the type of quarterback you always must contain, Spillane will need to continue playing high I.Q. football in Baltimore.

Zamir White vs. Roquan Smith

Despite high expectations for the run game going into Week 1, Zamir White finished with 44 rushing yards on 13 carries with a costly turnover. Penalties ruled out another successful rush from him that would've put the offense in scoring territory.

Nevertheless, White is an ideal candidate for a rebound game in Week 2.

"[Everything] is definitely correctable," White said. "Film work and learning each other and just going back out on the field at the end of the day and going back over it. ... I learned from last week, but just move on. Move on, new week."

Running the ball will be imperative in unlocking success for the Raiders offense, but they'll have to contend with a top linebacker in Roquan Smith.

In Smith's first full season with the Ravens in 2023, he was a First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection who led the team in total tackles (158). In Week 1, he picked up right where he left off, finishing with seven total tackles, one tackle for loss and an interception. On what it is considered a top-tier defense for the Ravens, Smith is a huge cog in the machine. It's worth watching his game status this week as he was limited in practice on Wednesday, per the injury report.

"He's smart, intelligent, a leader and tone setter," Pierce said about Smith. "I mean, you can see the difference. ... Now everybody can see he's probably the best football player in football, especially one of the linebackers. But I just love his intensity. I love how he tackles. I love how he brings it each and every play. You truly appreciate the linebacker play when you watch him."

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Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole's (6) jersey in the locker room prior to the Raiders' arrival for their regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.