Raiders’ Defensive Line Sees Big Opportunity vs. Jets
A Raiders Mailbag column published Oct. 28, 2026, by Digital Team Reporter Levi Edwards said the Las Vegas Raiders defensive line has a chance to seize momentum in the team’s upcoming Week 8 matchup against the New York Jets. The Mailbag highlighted matchup data and recent trends that make the game a notable opportunity for the Raiders’ pass rush and run defense. Coaches and players stressed the need to convert pressure into disruption and to improve the ground game.
Las Vegas ranks third in the NFL in quarterback pressure rate at 29.2 percent while blitzing on fewer than 25 percent of dropbacks, the Mailbag reported. The Raiders have 16 sacks, tied for 15th in the league, yet they have struggled to consistently derail opposing quarterbacks. During a four-game losing streak the team has allowed an average of 312 passing yards per game. The Raiders posted an 11-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio during that span.
The Jets present a favorable matchup on paper, as their offensive line has allowed Geno Smith to be the third-most-sacked quarterback in the league with 21 sacks and has yielded the most yards lost on sacks this season at 177. Per NFL Next Gen Stats, New York is allowing the second-highest quarterback pressure percentage at 10.4, which signals vulnerabilities the Raiders hope to exploit. Maxx Crosby remains a focal point for opponents, as he has been chipped or double-teamed on 33.8 percent of his snaps this season, potentially opening one-on-one chances for teammates. With Crosby drawing attention, the Mailbag highlighted the potential for players such as Tonka Hemingway, Malcolm Koonce and Kwity Paye to create pressure on the edges and inside.
Las Vegas also faces clear work on offense, where a talented backfield has not translated into a consistent rushing attack. The Raiders rank 31st in rushing yards per game at 74.7, a shortfall that has often forced the offense to play from behind. Ashton Jeanty leads all NFL running backs in receptions (34), receiving yards (312) and receiving touchdowns (three), while rookie Mike Washington Jr. is averaging 4.9 yards on 40 carries with a 40 percent rushing success rate and six runs of more than 10 yards. Coach Klint Kubiak said the issue is a team matter and that running backs, fullbacks and the offensive line all must improve.
The Raiders are searching for answers along the interior of the offensive line, where Jackson Powers-Johnson and Caleb Rogers have shared snaps at right guard in recent games. Rookie Trey Zuhn III could see snaps at that position moving forward, and Zuhn said he is confident about taking those reps. Kubiak praised Zuhn as a very intelligent, hardworking player who is still ascending and said the team will continue to give players opportunities to step up. Exploiting New York’s run defense, which has allowed 894 rushing yards over seven games (127.7 per game) and ranks ninth-most in the league, could be a parallel path to creating more favorable passing situations.
NFL Sports Blog Take
The Mailbag statistics point to a clear plan for the Raiders: take advantage of a New York offensive line that has allowed heavy pressure and sack yardage while addressing persistent run-game deficiencies. The most realistic path to improved pass-rush production is to force opponents into predictable passing situations by establishing better run defense and more consistent interior blocking. Defensive players to watch include Malcolm Koonce, Kwity Paye and Tonka Hemingway, and on offense the right-guard rotation with Trey Zuhn III merits attention. If Las Vegas can pair more effective rushing attempts with its already-high pressure rate, the matchup could tilt more in the Raiders’ favor.