Top 5 Rushing Matchups
Seattle at Las Vegas
The Seattle backfield is finally at full strength, and the timing could not be better. Zach Charbonnet played just his second game of the season on Sunday after recovering from the ACL tear he suffered in last January's playoffs, and he led the way with 16 carries for 77 yards in the 17-3 win over Arizona. His workload nearly doubled from the week before, going from nine touches against Chicago to 17 against Arizona, and he paced the team with 86 yards from scrimmage. Rookie Jadarian Price, back from his chest injury, was more of a change of pace, running nine times for 24 yards but catching all four of his targets for 54 yards. The early read is that Charbonnet handles early downs while Price gets the passing-down snaps, and on one first-quarter scoring drive the pair accounted for 53 of the 55 yards. With Sam Darnold in danger of missing this game and Drew Lock questionable with a right elbow and oblique injury, the Seahawks have every reason to lean on the run. However, there are some major questions along the offensive line. Charles Cross looks like he will miss his third straight game with an ankle injury, while Quenton Nelson is a player to watch as he missed last week's game with a knee injury. If he's unable to go this week, Anthony Bradford will once again get the start at right guard, while Grey Zable will move back to left guard. Bradford has been one of the worst right guards in the NFL this season.
This is the best rushing matchup on the board. Las Vegas ranks last in the league against the run at 151.2 yards allowed per game, and it has given up 12 rushing touchdowns. The trend has been ugly for two months. Before Sunday, the Raiders had allowed 1,097 rushing yards over a seven-game stretch, an average of 156.7 per game, and opposing backs were averaging 5.1 yards per carry, the worst mark in the NFL. The Jets' Braelon Allen ran through them for 147 yards in Week 8, and on Sunday, the 49ers ran 43 times for a season-high 190 yards and had 94 rushing yards before the second quarter even started. Rob Leonard's defense has now allowed at least 30 points in six straight games, and the front has no answer for teams that commit to running it up the middle. Charbonnet is a strong RB2 with RB1 upside this week, and Price is a viable flex play given his role in the passing game. The problem for Las Vegas has been the defensive line. Imagine if they traded Maxx Crosby this offseason? Besides Crosby who has been great, this is a team with no playmakers. They acquired Kwity Paye this offseason and he has been one of the worst defensive ends in the NFL this season, while defensive tackles Adam Butler and Foley Fatukasi have been pushed around all year. This has put extreme pressure on Quay Walker at linebacker who is having the worst season of his career. Overall, there are significant holes in this defense that Seattle should be able to take advantage of, even with a banged up offensive line.