CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 13: Henry Ruggs III #11 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs after making a catch against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Las Vegas won 34-30. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
The Raiders want to solidify their playoff position against the Falcons. Henry Ruggs and Josh Jacobs are making big plays to make that happen.
Jon Gruden has built the Raiders into a legitimate playoff team ahead of schedule. If Las Vegas is going to make the postseason, it needs its young stars like Henry Ruggs and Josh Jacobs to make more than their share of big plays.
Sunday’s matchup against the Falcons is a game Las Vegas should win. Fortunately, both Jacobs and Ruggs have shown up early for Gruden and his coaching staff. Jacobs is grinding yards out on the ground and Ruggs is giving Derek Carr a big-play receiver to target deep down the field.
Carr’s trust in Ruggs was on full display when he targeted him on a deep throw down the sideline on a crucial 4th and 3 play in the first quarter.
Watch how the former Alabama wideout contorted his body to evade A.J. Terrell and make a crucial catch. Ruggs had a chance to turn it into a touchdown, but he stepped out of bounds before gathering himself and extending the ball over the goal line.
Jacobs and Ruggs might not be the most established stars in the league, but each player is a staple of what the Raiders want to do on offense every week. The offense’s ability to light up the scoreboard helps Gruden’s team prop up a questionable defense. Las Vegas needs to outscore opponents if they want to win games against quality opponents.
Carr gets a ton of attention as the team’s starting quarterback, but his weapons need to get more attention. Jacobs and Ruggs deserve more shine. Both young offensive stars are big reasons why the Raiders are relevant in 2020.