The Oakland Raiders have won three games in a row. They are 6-4 on the season and in serious position to make a playoff push. One key to that playoff push? None other than tight end Darren Waller.
In Week 12, they square off with the New York Jets. At 3-7, they seem like a pushover team. Especially considering the humiliating losses they've suffered.
However, New York has won two straight games — that includes a blowout win over the Washington Redskins in Week 11.
So maybe the Jets are starting to hit a little bit of a stride — take it with a pinch of salt considering the two wins were against the New York Giants and the Redskins.
If that's the case, this is a game the Raiders need to win. They can't go into this with any thoughts that it will be an easier game. If Oakland wins, they are 7-4 and in fantastic position for a playoff push.
However, if they slip up, they move down to 6-5 and just blew the easiest game on the remainder on their schedule.
With that in mind, the Raiders need certain players to step up. One that they could really benefit from having a big-time performance is tight end Darren Waller.
Waller is blowing away the competition on his team when it comes to receiving categories. His 56 reception lead the team, the next closest is Hunter Renfrow with 33. Meanwhile, his 666 receiving yards are 204 more than Tyrell Williams, who sits in second-place.
Waller has three touchdowns on the year as well, which is the third-most on the team.
Clearly, the tight end is a major part of their offense. In fact, he's the main cog in their passing attack.
Meanwhile, the Jets have been below-average when it comes to pass defense. New York has allowed 253.3 passing yards per game. That's something a team can exploit.
However, Oakland does not have all that many weapons. Williams and Renfrow join Waller as 30-plus reception men. Foster Moreau (the backup tight end) has 16 receptions on the year. Outside of them, no other receiver or tight end on the team has even 10 catches this season.
With that in mind, it would be wise for the Jets to focus on Waller. The Raiders can't afford for that to slow him down though. The tight end is was makes the offense go. When he's having a good game in the air, it opens up chances for other targets. It also helps open up the running game.
And with the running game open, we've seen what rookie Josh Jacobs can do. He can help the Raiders to dictate the speed of the game and win the time of possession battle.
See, that all starts with Waller though. If he is not posing a threat offensively, the Raiders won't be able to get their passing game going. And that puts a massive target on Jacobs' back, slowing down the run.
The good news for Oakland is that time-and-time-again, Waller has proven he's up to the task and can churn out big games. They'll need him to do it again in Week 12.
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