The Threat of Lamar Jackson in Week 1
Week 1 is right around the corner, and the Las Vegas Raiders will be looking to make a statement right off the bat against the Baltimore Ravens.
One of the key ingredients to the Raiders’ success in their first game will be finding a way to stop one of the league’s most dominant quarterbacks, versatile Lamar Jackson.
The fact that Jackson is the most evident threat to the Raiders in Week 1 really goes without saying. The former MVP is entering only his fourth season, and you can count on him taking the field with a vengeance after being bounced early in the 2020-21 postseason, while also leaving the game with a concussion.
Jackson was supplied with new receiving assets this offseason to add to his group of targets. Fortunately for the Raiders, there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the additions at the moment.
Ravens rookie Rashod Bateman recently was placed on the injured reserve list and will miss the first three weeks of the season. However, newly signed free agent Sammy Watkins poses a threat at wideout, yet his status is up in the air because of an injury.
If Watkins plays in Week 1, however, it would only help Jackson’s chances of putting on the elite performance he is very capable of.
The biggest thing to watch out for with Jackson will of course be his ability to escape the pocket and run for big yardage. He led the league in yards per rushing attempt last season and ranked in the top 10 in total rushing yards.
If defensive coordinator Gus Bradley of the Raiders has his defense prepared to contain the shifty quarterback, it would heavily play in Las Vegas’ favor in its season opener.
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