Kirk Cousins is absolutely shocking everyone this season, playing way better than anyone expected, especially for a guy most folks, including Silver and Black Pride’s Matt Holder, thought was just a placeholder for Fernando Mendoza. At 38 years old, Cousins is a huge reason the Raiders are even in the playoff picture right now, proving a lot of us dead wrong from the offseason.
Cousins Is Cooking, But Can It Last?
Seriously, the guy just had his best game of the year against the Jets last week. While he’s not perfect,you see his age and lack of mobility or arm strength show up when he’s under pressure,there hasn’t been any sign of regression *yet*. That’s the big question though, isn’t it? The Raiders’ offense is super one-dimensional, basically all Kirk, and that lack of a running game could start to take its toll on the veteran quarterback down the stretch. He’s been defying expectations, but you gotta wonder how long a 38-year-old passer can carry a whole offense by himself.
The Defense? It’s A Wreck.
Now, let’s talk about the *other* side of the ball, because honestly, it’s a mess. The Raiders defense? Everybody scores against them. And it’s not just a little bit, either. They haven’t kept an opponent under 30 points since September, and the Saints even dropped 27 on them in just three quarters way back in Week 3. Even without Mike Evans, the San Francisco 49ers are probably salivating for this game. Kyle Shanahan’s game plan is likely to be super simple: line up in 12 or 13 personnel,or even 21/22 with Kyle Juszczyk,and just pound the rock. Why? Because the Raiders defense *cannot* stop the run out of those formations. The Jets, who are reportedly poorly coached, had Braelon Allen average a whopping 7.0 yards per carry against them, with Allen setting a career-high in rushing yards in just the first half! If the Jets, who bizarrely only ran the ball four more times in the second half despite having a lead, can do that, imagine what the Niners will unleash. Oh, and good luck with George Kittle. The Raiders apparently don’t have a legitimate answer for the best tight end they’ve faced all year. San Francisco should have zero problem putting up at least 30 points on Sunday.
Running Back Rollercoaster
What’s even going on in the backfield for Vegas? Dan Graziano over at ESPN reported this week that Jeanty only got two carries, while Mike Washington got a whopping 25. That’s a huge disparity and makes you wonder if Jeanty has already lost his job, or if Washington is just that good. Whatever it is, the Raiders desperately need a consistent run game to take some pressure off Cousins, especially if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.
This Sunday’s matchup against the 49ers isn’t just another game for the Raiders. It’s a huge test for Cousins to keep his magic going, but it’s an even bigger gut check for that defense. Can they find *any* way to slow down Shanahan’s offense? Or are we just going to see another 30-point barrage, potentially pushing the Raiders out of that playoff picture they’ve fought so hard to get into? It’s going to be a wild ride.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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