The Las Vegas Raiders have to continue to play at a high level defensively if they want to get back into the playoff picture in the AFC.
With a win on Sunday, the Raiders would find themselves better positioned in the wild card race. They currently sit at 13th, but several of the teams in front of them are either just a half a game or one game better.
The Raiders welcome the New York Jets to Allegiant Stadium for a Sunday Night Football showdown, a team that sits just two spots in front of them in the hunt.
While the Jets have not been a strong offensive team this season, they do have a few young star playmakers on that side of the ball.
One of those playmakers is running back Breece Hall. Hall has had a resurgent season in his second year after tearing his ACL last year after just seven games.
The Jets selected Hall in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Iowa State, making him a foundational piece of their young team. Hall was on pace to be an Offensive Rookie of the Year contender before his knee injury with 80 carries for 463 yards and four touchdowns.
Now, Hall is healthy again and has picked up right where he left off. Through eight games this season, he has 94 carries for 493 yards and two touchdowns. He has also caught 23 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown.
When the Jets need a spark offensively, they give the ball to No. 20 and he goes and makes a play. At 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, Hall has great size but also great speed, making him tough to tackle in the open field.
Despite his injury, Hall has not been afraid to plant his foot in the ground and make cutbacks to shift defenders. When he gets going, he is a tough cover.
The Raiders have been playing good football defensively over the last few weeks, and while the Jets’ offense as a whole is not great, Hall will be high on their list of players to contain. If the Raiders can stop Hall and the run game, the defense should turn in another good performance.
The Silver and Black will stay at Allegiant Stadium to take on the New York Jets on Sunday, Nov. 12, at 8:20 p.m. ET/5:20 p.m. PT.
More must-reads: