Raiders Opponent Scouting: Patriots Defense
The Las Vegas Raiders will look to win their second straight game as they welcome the New England Patriots to Allegiant Stadium on Sunday.
The Patriots have struggled this season, dropping four of their first five games with a brutal minus-76-point differential. The Patriots are facing several uncertainties about their future in many different positions.
One area in which they are not struggling is on defense. The Patriots have allowed the seventh-fewest passing yards and the seventh-fewest yards per carry in the league. Throughout Coach Bill Belichick’s legendary tenure, his defense is always elite.
Unfortunately for the Patriots, they lost star rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez for the season due to a torn labrum and a dislocated shoulder. Before his injuries, Gonzalez posted 17 total tackles, three passes defended, one sack, and one interception. He was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for September.
They also will be without star linebacker Matthew Judon, who recently sustained a torn biceps tendon. Judon is a four-time Pro Bowler with 66.5 career sacks.
The Patriots defensive line has several talented players, including linebacker Josh Uche, who has developed into an impressive edge rusher with two sacks this season. Defensive tackle Christian Barmore has broken out as one of the NFL's top young interior defensive linemen.
As a linebacker, Jahlani Tavai has revitalized his career with a good season in New England. Ja’Whaun Bentley has been a consistent presence for the Patriots’ defense since he was selected in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Bentley was injured in the Patriots’ loss to the Saints but appeared to return to practice on Tuesday, according to Zack Cox of NESN.
The safeties Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger lead the Patriots' secondary. Those two have combined for 66 tackles, five tackles for losses, two passes defended, and one forced fumble. Cornerback Jonathan Jones is also having a good season, and the Patriots just traded with the Los Angeles Chargers to bring JC Jackson back in the wake of the injuries to Gonzalez.
The Raiders defeated the Green Bay Packers on Monday night, but their offense still showed several blemishes. They must clean up some of their mistakes before they face a great Patriots defense on Sunday.
The Silver and Black will stay home at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to play the New England Patriots on Sunday, Oct. 15, at 4:05 p.m. EDT/1:05 p.m. PDT.
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