Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty believes his team can find success against the New York Jets' run defense on Sunday, citing what he perceives as a lack of willingness to tackle among some of the Jets' defenders. Jeanty, speaking Wednesday, did not name specific players but suggested that this perceived vulnerability gives the Raiders confidence.
"Couple guys out there that don’t really want to tackle," Jeanty said. "But I’m not gonna say names."
Jeanty's comments come as the Raiders' offense grapples with a struggling run game, currently ranked third-worst in the NFL. He expressed optimism that the team can get its ground attack back on track.
"I think we can definitely get the run game going, get back on track," Jeanty stated. "Just really get after these guys."
The Raiders will need to effectively execute their blocking schemes and create opportunities for their running backs to test Jeanty's assessment. The matchup on Sunday is expected to provide a direct evaluation of his claims about the Jets' defensive capabilities.
While confidence from a running back before a game is common, Jeanty's specific critique about the willingness of opposing players to make tackles adds a layer of intrigue beyond standard pre-game remarks. His statement challenges the Jets defense directly, and he has indicated that the onus is on the Raiders' offense to create situations where his assessment can be proven on the field.