Packers' Youth at WR Could Help Raiders' Defense
The Las Vegas Raiders are looking to avoid a fourth straight defeat as they take on the Green Bay Packers at home on Monday Night Football.
It is another prime-time game for the Raiders, a chance to get back on track in front of their home crowd and a nationally televised audience.
The Raiders will play a solid but very young Packers team trying to navigate the post-Aaron Rodgers era. The departure of Rodgers brought the insertion of Jordan Love as the starting quarterback, a player who had only one career start before this season. Now, he takes over a position held by a future Hall of Famer.
Love is not the only inexperienced player in the Packers’ offense. Several of their wide receivers and tight ends are also pretty young. Seven of the 12 Packers who have caught a pass this season are either first or second-year players.
While this can be a tricky situation for Coach Matt LaFleur in a short-term scenario, it can pay dividends as Love and his receivers can use this season to develop chemistry and eventually become a dynamic passing attack.
After the Packers traded Rodgers during the offseason, they named Love the starting quarterback, putting the keys to the future in his hands. Then they spent five of their 13 selections in the 2023 NFL Draft on pass catchers to surround him. The Packers’ offseason vision was clear: to build around Love.
So far, Love has done a solid job building chemistry with his new weapons. Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed have been his top two options, while second-year man Christian Watson caught seven touchdown passes last season and is working his way back from an early-season injury.
While these young weapons are talented, they are inexperienced. This is something the Raiders must take advantage of on Monday night.
With a few experienced defensive backs in their secondary, players like Marcus Peters and Marcus Epps, who have been lauded for their football IQ and mistake-free play styles, have to force the Packers’ receivers to make the mistakes that young players are prone to make.
Those mistakes include running wrong or rushed routes, dropping passes, and the ill-advised fighting for extra yards that can result in fumbles. If the Raiders’ veteran defensive backs can disrupt the Packers’ receivers, it can throw their whole offense out of rhythm.
The Raiders also must generate a consistent pass rush to speed up Love’s processing. He will pick them apart if they allow him to sit back comfortably in the pocket. If they pressure him, he might not hit his receivers in stride.
The Packers’ youth on the offensive side of the ball can play in the Raiders’ favor. Forcing their young wide receivers into mistakes is a key way Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham can get his unit going, potentially setting the tone for the rest of the season.
The Silver and Black return home to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas next week to play the Green Bay Packers on Monday, Oct. 9, at 8:15 p.m. EDT/5:15 p.m. PDT.
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