The Las Vegas Raiders will look to snap their six-game losing streak on Sunday, as the team will host the Denver Broncos in Week 12 at Allegiant Stadium. Las Vegas will also be seeking its first division win of the season, as Antonio Pierce's squad is 0-3 in the division this season, including a blowout defeat to the Broncos in Week 5.
The Raiders' offense has been abysmal this season, as the unit has scored 20 points or fewer in five games and is averaging just 18.7 points per game, which ranks within the bottom ten in the NFL.
One of the team's long-time starters on offense is center Andre James. The 27-year-old has been Las Vegas' starting center since 2021 and has been one of the most underappreciated offensive linemen in the NFL. James signed a three-year, $24 million contract extension with the Raiders in the offseason but has struggled in 2024 and has missed the last two games due to an ankle injury.
During James' two-game absence, rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson stepped in as the starting center after playing left guard for most of the year and has allowed zero sacks and just two quarterback pressures in two starts. Powers-Johnson won the Rimington Trophy during his junior season at Oregon in 2023, an award given to the best center in college football.
Despite James returning to practice this week, head coach Antonio Pierce stated that the team will stick with their current starting offensive line, meaning Powers-Johnson will start for Las Vegas at center for the foreseeable future.
While Andre James is nearing his return and will practice Friday, Antonio Pierce said he’ll be rolling with rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson at center again against the Denver Broncos.#Raiders
— Levi Edwards (@theleviedwards) November 22, 2024
Though James has been an integral part of the Raiders' offensive line since assuming the starting role in 2021, starting Powers-Johnson is the correct move from Pierce. The 2024 second-round pick has flourished as the starter over the last few weeks, and the unit desperately needs some continuity.
James has lost his starting gig, but he will play a pivotal depth role on the Las Vegas' offensive line going forward.
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