Sunday’s upcoming game in Las Vegas features two of the NFL’s worst teams by record thus far in the 2022 season.
The Las Vegas Raiders, despite making the playoffs last year and bringing in offensive guru Josh McDaniels from New England, sit at 1-4 with their only win over the disastrous Denver Broncos. The Houston Texans fair slightly better at 1-3-1 due to a tie during the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts. However, their talent deficiencies are evident in the fact that Las Vegas sits as a touchdown favorite.
The Raiders are hamstrung by their defense which ranks 28th in points allowed while the Texans have been held back by an atrocious offense that ranks 26th in points scored. It’s a game that many will only be watching for fantasy contributions much more than for elite football or a playoff preview. However, one aspect of the game projects to be far from abysmal.
Josh Jacobs and Dameon Pierce, two of the NFL’s best-running backs thus far in 2022, will both showcase their hardnosed running style and talents.
Jacobs has paced the Raiders with 490 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns through 5 games while averaging an incredible 5.4 yards per carry. There were preseason concerns that he would be cast aside by McDaniels in favor of a committee but, instead, Jacobs’ dominance in both pass protection and running has turned him into a workhorse back.
Dameon Pierce might already be the best player on Houston’s offense. Special talent.
Nick Caserio found a great one in the 4th round #WeAreTexans pic.twitter.com/c8a5zYHdVS
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) October 2, 2022
Meanwhile, Pierce was the darling of the fantasy football preseason and has managed to live up to the hype for Houston. He leads the Texans with 412 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns and averages 4.8 yards per carry. The 4th round rookie has become the engine behind offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton’s offense and all accounts point to him carrying that role for the rest of the season.
Both running backs have garnered national attention for their propensity to plow through defensive backs and a level of ferocity running between their offensive line that has been somewhat lost in the era of a pass-heavy NFL. Does the interesting question become who runs for more yards during their showdown?
Las Vegas vs. Houston on Sunday will feature two of the league’s best backs so far in 2022
Josh Jacobs: 490 yards, 3 touchdowns, 5.4 ypc
Dameon Pierce: 412 yards, 3 touchdowns, 4.8 ypc
Who has more yards on Sunday? #WeAreTexans #RaiderNation
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) October 18, 2022
The Raiders enter Sunday’s game ranked 15th in total rushing yards allowed and allow just 4.0 yards per carry, good for 5th in the league. Meanwhile, the Texans rank 30th in total rushing yards allowed and allow over 5 yards per carry which is the 29th worst in the league. Jacobs certainly has an advantage in the defense he has to face.
The game script may also slightly favor Jacobs over Pierce. The Raiders have been able to score early and often this season and that could put them with an early lead over Houston. That type of game script could lead to Jacobs getting multiple carries each drive while the Texans are forced to lean on Davis Mills and pass in an attempt to overcome the deficit.
Ultimately, with two backs this talented, things could legitimately break either way. Jacobs may be a betting and logical favorite but Pierce has shown flashes recently that suggest he may just be ready to take over a game on the road. Fans will have to watch and see if it’s enough for head coach Lovie Smith to pick up his second win.
John Crumpler has written for the Texans Wire since 2019 and is a PFWA member. Follow him on Twitter @JohnHCrumpler
