Las Vegas Raiders fullback Connor Heyward has seen three fourth-and-short sneaks wiped out by penalties on center Tyler Linderbaum this season, the latest coming Sunday during a 33-30 home loss to the Buffalo Bills. On a fourth-and-1 from the Buffalo 14-yard line in the second quarter, Linderbaum was flagged for a false start amid pre-snap motion that sent Heyward under center, forcing the Raiders to settle for a 35-yard field goal by Matt Gay instead of extending the drive.
The same issue arose in previous games against the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots, where Linderbaum was ruled offside on the identical concept. Coach Klint Kubiak acknowledged the recurring problem is "killing us" and accepted responsibility for failing to correct it. The team uses Heyward on the sneak to spare quarterback Kirk Cousins, 38, from the physical toll of the play given his surgically repaired right Achilles tendon.
Heyward has successfully converted similar sneaks against the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers, and he believes the play can be a reliable weapon akin to the Philadelphia Eagles' "Tush Push." Linderbaum said officials explained he moved as Heyward got under center, calling the penalties "unacceptable" and emphasizing the need for better coordination. The Raiders rank last in the NFL in rushing efficiency, making short-yardage execution critical for sustaining drives.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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