Christian Wilkins – Page 2 – Syndication Server

4 things to know for Panthers vs. Raiders in Week 3

Panthers HC Dave Canales is hoping to alter his team’s fortunes beginning in Week 3.

Despite piecing together about as brutal of an 0-2 start as possible, the Carolina Panthers step into Week 3 with a little renewed hope—as a switch under center could result in a switch in fortunes.

But before we hit kickoff on Sunday, here are four things to know about this week’s matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders:

First-year matchup

Both Dave Canales and Antonio Pierce have entered 2024 as first-time full-time head coaches. And Week 3 will be the first time that either face a fellow first-year head coach.

Canales comes into the match looking for his first career win, whereas Pierce can snag his second this season and his seventh overall—with five coming in his interim role in 2023. Both are also looking to establish their cultures amidst a pair of shaky quarterback situations.

The Red Rifle

Speaking of shaky quarterback situations, the Panthers have decided to bench the struggling Bryce Young after just 18 career starts. They’ll now look to 14th-year veteran Andy Dalton for some form of offensive success.

Dalton made one start for Carolina in 2023, passing for 361 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. So that success brings a bit of hope that the 36-year-old could unlock some functionality that we have yet to see from this offense in 2024.

Gladiator match

The major strengths for both teams reside in the trenches.

For Las Vegas, it’s on defense—where stars Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins reside. For Carolina, it’s actually been on offense—where this offseason’s investments into guards Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt have already begun to pay off.

Whoever can control the line of scrimmage, particularly in this battle, should have the advantage.

Tight history

Panthers-Raiders matchups are pretty rare, as the two teams have met just seven times. Las Vegas has the slight edge, carrying a 4-3 mark against Carolina heading into the weekend.

The Panthers can even up the all-time series by notching their first (and much-needed) win of the 2024 campaign.

[lawrence-related id=703737,703718,703704]

Key matchups for Panthers vs. Raiders in Week 3

The Panthers’ hog mollies will have their hands full in Las Vegas on Sunday.

If the Carolina Panthers are to lucky against the Las Vegas Raiders in Sin City on Sunday, here are four key matchups that will help them hit the jackpot . . .

Panthers RT Taylor Moton vs. Raiders DE Maxx Crosby

If Carolina wants to get its passing game going, they’ll have to keep Crosby away from new starting quarterback Andy Dalton as much as possible. That’ll be the primary job of Moton, who is coming off another tough assignment out of the AFC West in Joey Bosa.

The eighth-year hog molly, per Pro Football Focus, allowed zero pressures in the 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Panthers G Austin Corbett and RG Robert Hunt vs. Raiders DT Christian Wilkins

If Carolina wants to establish the run, then they’ll have keep Wilkins (if he plays) from eating up space. Just as a reminder, it was Wilkins who held the single-season tackles record for a defensive lineman before Carolina’s Derrick Brown broke it in 2023.

Like their line mate in Moton, both Corbett and Hunt have been reliable in passing game—as opponents have produced just one pressure against the duo. Hunt, in particular, is also thriving through the ground—as he’s earned a 73.8 run-blocking grade from PFF.

Panthers OLB Jadeveon Clowney vs. Raiders RT Thayer Munford Jr.

Las Vegas quarterback Gardner Minshew has recorded 428 passing yards from a clean pocket, the third-highest such total thus far. So he may have himself quite a day against the Carolina defense, which has tallied only two takedowns of opposing quarterbacks.

Clowney has to get it going against Munford Jr., who has been charged with a pair of sacks entering Week 3.

Panthers ILB Shaq Thompson vs. Raiders TE Brock Bowers

Bowers is a pretty special talent at the tight end position, and the defensive deployments for the rookie have proven exactly that. The 13th overall pick, who is already at 156 receiving yards and 17 targets, has been lined up against linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties in his first two pro games.

The Raiders will probably try to get him matched with the ‘backers as much as they can on Sunday.

[lawrence-related id=703690,703667,703644]

Raiders, Panthers final Week 3 injury report: Maxx Crosby, Christian Wilkins both Questionable

Maxx Crosby, Christian Wilkins are both officially Questionable for Week 3 vs the Panthers

A couple of Raiders star defenders showed up on the injury report this week. The team’s biggest stars as it happens.

Both Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins were limited in practice all week. Crosby is dealing with an ankle injury while Wilkins has a knee injury. Both players are officially questionable for the game.

https://twitter.com/LeviDamien/status/1837237609212563524

Antonio Pierce seemed very confident that Maxx Crosby will play in the game.

“He hasn’t missed any practice,” Pierce said of Crosby. “So, regardless of what I want to do, I’ve got to fight 98 and everything that he does. But the ultimate warrior. I mean, you see it with the stats this year, he hasn’t missed a snap, and I don’t expect him missing Sunday, either. I don’t expect him missing Sunday.”

Crosby’s play doesn’t usually suffer much from nagging injuries, though it’s certainly worth watching Sunday.

Tyree Wilson is also expected to play after missing last week with a sprained knee.

The status of Wilkins’s knee injury is less certain. He and Crosby have worked very well together on the line through two games, so it would be a big loss to not have Wilkins. Especially considering the lack of depth on the interior defensive line.

For sure not playing in this game is starting linebacker Divine Deablo. Luke Masterson will start in his place alongside Robert Spillane.

Raiders Week 2 snap counts vs Ravens: Christian Wilkins leads the way

The Raiders are probably still riding the high they felt going into Baltimore and coming out with a win. That would go especially for those who saw a good percentage of the snaps in this wild affair.

Leading the way in terms of snaps was star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. Not only did he play all but three snaps on defense (95%) — a rare thing for an interior defensive lineman — but he played 12 snaps on special teams (36%), giving him a team-leading 74 snaps.

Offense				Spec Tms
Player	Pos	Num	Pct	Num	Pct
Kolton Miller	T	63	100%	6	18%
Thayer Munford	T	63	100%	6	18%
Dylan Parham	G	63	100%	6	18%
Andre James	C	63	100%	0	0%
Gardner Minshew II	QB	63	100%	0	0%
Davante Adams	WR	59	94%	0	0%
Jakobi Meyers	WR	59	94%	0	0%
Brock Bowers	TE	43	68%	0	0%
Zamir White	RB	40	63%	0	0%
Michael Mayer	TE	39	62%	0	0%
Tre Tucker	WR	38	60%	4	12%
Cody Whitehair	G	36	57%	6	18%
Andrus Peat	G	27	43%	6	18%
Alexander Mattison	RB	14	22%	2	6%
DJ Turner	WR	8	13%	27	82%
Ameer Abdullah	RB	8	13%	17	52%
Harrison Bryant	TE	7	11%	10	30%
Defense				Spec Tms
Player	Pos	Num	Pct	Num	Pct
Maxx Crosby	DE	65	100%	6	18%
Marcus Epps	SS	65	100%	0	0%
Tre’von Moehrig	FS	65	100%	0	0%
Nate Hobbs	CB	65	100%	0	0%
Robert Spillane	LB	65	100%	0	0%
Jack Jones	CB	65	100%	0	0%
Christian Wilkins	DT	62	95%	12	36%
Adam Butler	DT	53	82%	0	0%
Jakorian Bennett	CB	46	71%	0	0%
Divine Deablo	LB	43	66%	0	0%
Janarius Robinson	DE	36	55%	6	18%
Charles Snowden	DE	27	42%	8	24%
John Jenkins	DT	21	32%	6	18%
Luke Masterson	LB	12	18%	27	82%
Isaiah Pola-Mao	FS	12	18%	27	82%
Nesta Jade Silvera	DT	8	12%	6	18%
Jonah Laulu	DT	2	3%	6	18%
K’Lavon Chaisson	LB	2	3%	0	0%
Sam Webb	CB	1	2%	11	33%
Special Teams				Spec Tms
Player	Pos	Num	Pct	Num	Pct
Kana’i Mauga	LB	0	0%	27	82%
Christopher Smith	SS	0	0%	24	73%
Tommy Eichenberg	LB	0	0%	21	64%
Amari Burney	LB	0	0%	21	64%
Amari Gainer	LB	0	0%	18	55%
Daniel Carlson	K	0	0%	13	39%
AJ Cole III	P	0	0%	9	27%
Jacob Bobenmoyer	LS	0	0%	9	27%
Delmar Glaze	T	0	0%	6	18%
Jordan Meredith	G	0	0%	6	18%
Darnay Holmes	CB	0	0%	4	12%

Ravens vs. Raiders: Top photos from Week 2 matchup at M&T Bank Stadium

The Ravens have gone from a Super Bowl hopeful, to a team searching for answers after a shocking 26-23 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday.

The loss dropped Baltimore to 0-2 on the season, while creating more discourse centered on the offensive line, secondary, run-pass ratios, and Lamar Jackson. The disappointing loss also creates something of a hotseat for head coach John Harbaugh with a difficult matchup against the Cowboys looming.

Here are the top photos from Week 2.

***

Can Raiders handle ‘big boy football’ Ravens will bring in Week 2?

The.Ravens will be playing some ‘big boy football’ Sunday. Can the Raiders match it?

Week one against Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers, they struggled on the ground early, but stuck with it until they broke through. You can bet Jon Harbaugh’s Ravens were watching. And they have plenty of ability to wear down a defense on the ground.

Primarily they have Derrick Henry.

King Henry, as he’s called, is the quintessential workhorse back in a league increasingly going away from workhorse backs.

The 6-2, 247-pound bruiser is hard to bring down. And in each of his last five seasons, he has averaged over 21 carries per game. You can expect him to hit that average and then some Sunday in Baltimore. And Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce knows they’re in for it.

“Yeah, big boy football,” Pierce said of facing Henry. “Strap it up, like I said, hardhat mentality. Grab a cup of Advil from Chris [Cortez] in the training room. It’s going to hurt.”

It will take more than strength to keep Henry bottled up. It will take discipline. That’s part of what fell off in the second half last week in Los Angeles.

“Yeah, I mean, 35 plus runs they had in the game, and four of them we fit up wrong,” Pierce said, referring to the four big runs the Chargers broke off in the game. “I mean, do your job each and every play, right? If you’re a second level linebacker, fit the gap accordingly. If you’re D-lineman, no jumping around playing peekaboo. It’s critical. And then I think our team really understood that because late in the game you’re down and your guys are trying to make plays, you can’t do that. Team defense, those are the good teams that play in the month of January, February, and that’s what we’re striving to do.”

Run defense was a concern coming into the season. Which is a bit surprising considering the addition of Christian Wilkins to go along with Maxx Crosby — both of whom are outstanding against the Run — and with Robert Spillane behind them.

It is not Crosby, Wilkins, and Spillane the Raiders may have to worry about. Because those three were doing their jobs last Sunday for the most part. While some of their teammates were not.

But as Pierce said, it only takes one mistake. Hell, with Henry, you could do most everything right, and he might still make a highlight out of you. It’s how he’s averaged nearly a touchdown per game over the past six years. You read that right. In 84 starts since 2019, he has 80 touchdowns! That’s just absurd.

Oh, and when Henry isn’t running through guys, Lamar Jackson will run past them or throw over them. This defense better find its run defense, and figure out how to play ‘big boy football’ or this could be a long day in Baltimore.

Ballers for Raiders Week 1 loss to Chargers

Even in a tough loss like this, the plain truth is not everyone was bad. In fact, through three quarters, the Raiders had a lot going for them and it was still a two-point game. That doesn’t happen by accident.

So, before we get into how it all fell apart, let’s give credit to those who kept the Raiders in this game through three quarters.

Ballers

DE Maxx Crosby

While the Chargers are pumping their chests at how well their rookie tackle held up against Crosby, he still was a major factor in this game. The Chargers started the game with a three-and-out. And the final two plays featured a Maxx Crosby tackle for loss and a sack off a stunt. So much for Alt deleting Crosby.

He ended another drive in the second quarter with a QB hit on third down to send the two teams into the locker room with a 7-6 Raiders lead.

The Chargers went on a long drive early in the third quarter. but it also featured two Crosby run stuffs and ended with a Crosby pressure for an incompletion, so the Chargers settled for a field goal.

He finished with a sack, three QB hits, and five tackles, one for a loss.

LB Robert Spillane

Spillane led the team with ten combined tackles (seven solo). Two of those tackles ended drives. On one possession in the second quarter, he made the tackle on all three downs including a tackle for loss. He started out a three-and-out in the third quarter with a tackle as well.

CB Jakorian Bennett

He stayed in Quentin Johnston’s hip pocket up deep up the left sideline to knock the ball away and end the Chargers’ second possession with a three-and-out. He didn’t give up a catch all day after that either.

RB Alexander Mattison

After a couple of drives with Zamir White going nowhere, the Raiders put in Mattison. And he had the highlight reel play of the game for them. Mattison caught a pass in the right flat and looked to be stopped, but he evaded one tackler and hurdled Asante Samuel Jr without breaking stride and took it 31 yards to the house. He finished with nine touches for 62 yards and a TD.

DT Christian Wilkins

With the way the Chargers were able to break through on the ground in the second half, it may be hard to remember the Raiders had them hemmed up before that. Wilkins led the way in that department with three run stuffs. He finished second on the team with six combined tackles (five solo).

P AJ Cole

His first punt went 57 yards and was fair caught at the 13. His second punt went 52 yards and was also fair caught. His pooch punt in the fourth quarter was fair caught at the eight. He finished averaging 53 yards per punt with three stopped inside the 20 and one touchback.

T Thayer Munford

While Kolton Miller was having all kinds of issues on the left side, Munford held his own on the right side. Not giving up any sacks or run stuffs.

Honorable Mention

WR Davante Adams — Led the team with 59 yards on five catches. His two catches for 29 yards on the Raiders third drive both came on third down to set up the team’s only touchdown of the game.

CB Nate Hobbs — Chased down two long runs to keep it from being a touchdown. The first one ended in a field goal.

Continue to the Busters…

5 Raiders players to watch vs. Chargers

There are a few Raiders players that the Chargers will need to keep an eye on if they want to start 1-0.

The Chargers and Raiders will start their respective seasons with a divisional tilt in Los Angeles.

There are a few Raiders players that the Chargers will need to keep an eye on if they want to start 1-0.

Gardner Minshew

Minshew was recently named the Raiders’ Week 1 starter over Aiden O’Connell. The sixth-year veteran has 37 career starts under his belt, and his level of play will be the main difference-maker in this opener. He has the weapons to succeed, and this contest against the Chargers defense will be his first test of the season.

Brock Bowers

Bowers was the consensus top tight end in this year’s draft, and rightfully so. In three collegiate seasons, the No. 13 overall pick had 2,538 receiving yards and 31 total touchdowns. He’s been nursing a foot injury, which has forced him to be limited in practice throughout the week. Assuming he’s active in Week 1, the Chargers must account for him at all times, particularly in the red zone.

Zamir White

With Josh Jacobs gone, the Raiders’ No. 1 running back job now belongs to White. In his start against the Chargers last season, he tallied 69 rushing yards and a touchdown. Los Angeles’ defense allowed the second-most receiving yards to tailbacks in 2023, which will be something to watch in this Week 1 matchup.

Christian Wilkins

The former Dolphins star landed in Las Vegas back in March. His presence in the middle should only make things easier for edge rusher Maxx Crosby, which should cause concerns for the Chargers in Week 1. In 2022, Wilkins wreaked havoc against the Bolts with six tackles and a sack.

Jack Jones

Jones is the Raiders’ top cornerback and had an interception in the late-season blowout in 2023. Without a true No. 1 wideout for Los Angeles, Jones could be in for a big day.

Raiders teammates liking ‘aura’ of Gardner Minshew, ‘he’s running the show’

Gardner Minshew has that ‘aura’ according to Raiders teammates, ‘he’s running the show’

It’s been a couple weeks since Gardner Minshew was officially named the Raiders starting quarterback, ending a months long competition between he and 2023 starter Aidan O’Connell.

Minshew outplayed O’Connell, if only slightly, as camp and preseason went along. But it was more than that. Head coach Antonio Pierce mentioned at the time that Minshew’s personality played a role in his decision.

His personality is infectious, his energy is infectious, his leadership is infectious,” Pierce said of Minshew.

While Minshew has never been the type of QB to wow anyone with his arm on the field, his personality has made him a favorite by his teammates. That’s not just his spirited, happy-go-lucky demeanor, but also his work ethic.

Those were clearly top priorities by the team this year as evidenced by the fact that the top two free agents they signed were Minshew and DT Christian Wilkins.

“What’s that word the kids say now? Aura? Yeah, Gardner’s definitely got some aura,” Wilkins said. “I love that dude. He’s a lot of fun to be around. Me and him go way back to college and we were drafted in the same year. So, I definitely got a lot of respect for Gardner. He’s definitely got an infectious personality and all that good stuff. He’s always coming in every day with a smile, great energy, and is always ready to work, so that’s definitely something that we can all get behind as a team and that we all see.”

For Minshew, his approach to preparation has always been the same. It’s simply about loving and appreciating being around his teammates and preparing to play.

“I’ve always really enjoyed the process of it,” said Minshew. “If you only like the games, that’s like 1% of the time you’re doing this and the rest of the time you’re miserable, that doesn’t really make sense to me. So, I always just try to enjoy every second in the building. The locker room, the team atmosphere is something that’s just so special and something you never want to take for granted.”

The past couple weeks, that process has changed for Minshew. He went from competing for the job and taking only part of the first team snaps, to taking control as the starter. And all that comes with that.

“Your role changes and being the starter, being a little more vocal, talking a little bit, getting everybody on the same page because that’s your role,” said Minshew. “I think that’s the biggest change.”

This is Minshew’s sixth season in the NFL. He has 37 starts under his belt, including the final 12 games of last season as the starter in Indianapolis. So, he has some experience battling for his job as well as experience taking over the reins of an NFL team. While Pierce noticed the change in Minshew from who he was when he was competing for the job to the more vocal leader he has been since taking on the starting job.

“I think when you’re battling in the quarterback position, you’ve got two guys there that were splitting time of who’s talking, who’s leading the pack,” Pierce said. “This is Gardner’s show. He’s running the show.”

Key things to know about Chargers’ Week 1 opponent: Raiders

Here are some important things to know about the Raiders ahead of the Week 1 matchup with the Chargers.

The Chargers will open up the 2024 regular season at SoFi Stadium against the Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 1:05 p.m. PT.

To get you prepped for the Week 1 bout, here are five key things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the matchup.

Got the promotion

After the 2023 season, the Raiders removed the interim tag from Antonio Pierce’s title and promoted him to full-time head coach. Pierce served as Las Vegas’ linebackers coach before taking on the interim role after former head coach Josh McDaniels was fired. He led them to a 5-4 record.

The man under center

The Raiders had a quarterback battle during the summer between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell, and Minshew prevailed. This offseason, Minshew signed a two-year, $25 million contract, marking the fourth team he’s played on. Over five seasons with the Jaguars, Eagles and Colts, Minshew has started 37 games, posting a 15-22 record. He has faced the Chargers twice in his career and is 0-2 against them.

Big fish landed

Former Chargers general manager and current Raiders GM Tom Telesco’s biggest offseason move was acquiring Christian Wilkins. Wilkins, the top defensive tackle on the market, signed to a four-year, $110 million contract. Wilkins is coming off a season in which he amassed career highs in sacks (nine), quarterback pressures (61), and quarterback hits (23). Along with being a prolific interior pass rusher, he’s just as impactful against the run.

Other offseason additions

Telesco’s other moves in the offseason came mainly on the offensive side of the ball, with running back Alexander Mattison, guard Cody Whitehair and rookie tight end Brock Bowers. Center Andre James re-signed to a two-year deal. They will all be key pieces for Luke Getsy, who will enter his first season as Raiders offensive coordinator. Getsy previously served in the same role for the Bears.

Look out for…

Edge rusher Maxx Crosby. Crosby has asserted himself as one of the top defensive players in the league. He finished last season with a career-high 14.5 sacks. Rookie offensive tackle Joe Alt should get a heavy dose of Crosby this game, so it will be interesting to see how he fares.