#5 Utilizing Joshua Jacobs
Josh Jacobs will be a big part of moving the ball down the field in Sunday s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he needs to be ready to take on that role. He’s done just that in a few games this season but has become somewhat ineffective with an average of 3.8 yards per carry and only under 400 yards total this season.
The Raiders need to find a way to get the ball to Jacobs and let him cut up the defense.
#4 Derek Carr’s effectiveness
If the Las Vegas Raiders are to succeed Sunday afternoon against the Buccaneers, they need Derek Carr to deliver a game of the year-level performance. That means he will need to not get sacked, not get intercepted, not fumble the ball and get it down the field. Whether Carr can handle this or not remains to be seen, but he has pulled off such performances before.
In fact, in last week’s 40-32 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, Derek Carr completed 22 of 31 passes for 347 yards and one interception.
#3 Targeting Tom Brady
Let s be honest here.
A completely different Las Vegas Raiders defense will need to show up during Sunday s game, and they are going to need to be capable of knocking Tom Brady on his ass. It s no secret that the key to getting into Brady s head is pressuring him, and that s exactly what the Raiders need to do. Whether that be by blitzing, pressuring him, or forcing him to run out of the pocket, The Raiders must make sure that Brady Isn t effective in the air.
They will also have to do a good job of double-teaming Buccaneers key wide receivers, which could prove difficult with how they have been playing all year. If the Raiders can find a way to make key players a non-factor in Sunday s game and get to Brady enough times, they might be able to pull out a win.
#2 Not blowing big leads
If the Raiders do end up getting an early or even a late lead on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they need to make sure that they don t blow it. The defense needs to cooperate with the offense to make sure both sides have enough rest time between drives. The defense also needs to make sure they cut down on missed tackles and focus on clicking as a team. Derek Carr and the offense just aren t enough to win a football game
#1 Spreading the ball around
One problem that the Las Vegas Raiders have had throughout the 2020 season is that they don t always seem to spread the ball very well. In fact, between wide receivers coming down with cases of the dropsies and big plays being disrupted by opposing defenses, it s obvious that the Raiders aren t the most effective at moving the ball.
With a strong offense being an essential part of Sunday s game against the Buccaneers, Derek Carr will have to prove himself to win this game. Hunter Renfrow, Henry Ruggs III, and Joshua Jacobs will also have to step up and help give the Raiders an option to score early.
