Stokes’ Red-Zone Plays Offset a Difficult Raiders Outing

The New York Jets repeatedly targeted Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes on November 1, putting him and the rest of the defensive backfield under pressure. An injury to Darien Porter on the game’s first play, along with the Raiders’ focus on stopping the run, left Stokes facing receivers in man coverage for much of the day.

Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said Stokes had a difficult assignment but also made important plays, particularly near the goal line. Kubiak said the team would use the players who perform best as younger players make their case, while also expressing confidence in Stokes’ ability to recover after being beaten.

Stokes deflected a pair of throws inside the end zone during the Jets’ opening two scoring possessions, one coming on third down. Those stops helped hold the Jets to field goals instead of touchdowns, a difference of eight points. The Raiders won by five.

The performance highlighted both Stokes’ struggles and the value of his key stops. Las Vegas additionally held New York’s ground game to 26 yards after halftime, even as Stokes remained vulnerable in pass coverage. The Raiders’ secondary has been a concern over multiple seasons, and Stokes will need to improve as the team faces a difficult stretch ahead. His health could also be a question if he has another outing like this one.