LA Chargers: Limiting Darren Waller and 4 keys to beat the Las Vegas Raiders
By Jason Reed
3. Really focus on stopping Darren Waller
Darren Waller is one of the best tight ends in the NFL and fans that did not know that learned that when the Raiders defeated the Saints on Monday Night Football earlier this season. That still stands as Waller’s best game of the season but he has a favorable matchup this week that could lead to another big game.
The Chargers have not been great in stopping tight ends this season and I am worried about how the team will fare against Waller with the way that the linebackers have been playing in pass coverage.
Jon Gruden is a head coach that will recognize a fault and will continually target it and not let up. On paper, there is a big mismatch in the Raiders’ favor with Waller and he is, without a doubt, going to be the focal point of the offense.
The Raiders’ receivers are good, not great. They have decent depth but they lack a true WR1 and the Chargers’ secondary, as poorly as it has been at times this season, should not have too bad of a showing against the receivers.
That will funnel the touches to Josh Jacobs and Waller and limiting Waller will ultimately be the difference in whether or not the Raiders can score enough points to best Justin Herbert and the Bolts’ offense.