Problematic matchup

Jaguars running back vs. Raiders’ defense

The Raiders’ biggest problem defensively against the Saints was containing All-pro running back Alvin Kamara, who logged a 158 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. When Travis Etienne came out of Clemson for the 2021 NFL Draft, the player he was most frequently compared to was Kamara. Etienne missed all of last year with a broken foot, but he’s started to live up to the promise that made him a first-round pick. He began the year as a passing-down back but has since taken over the featured role to the extent that the Jaguars traded former starter James Robinson to the New York Jets. Las Vegas’ linebackers have played pretty well against the run, but they’ve regularly gotten lost in pass coverage. Kamara feasted on that weakness, and it seems likely the Jaguars will try to devise similar looks for their player equivalent in Etienne.

GARY MCCULLOUGH / ASSOCIATED PRESS