As the NFL season progresses, all eyes are on Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison as he gears up to face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15. The highly anticipated matchup will kick off at 8:30 PM ET on Monday, December 17, 2024. With the Falcons ranked 16th in rushing defense, Mattison’s performance will be crucial for the Raiders as they look to secure a win.
Currently, Mattison leads the Raiders with a total of 320 rushing yards, achieved over 97 attempts, averaging 32.0 yards per game. His contributions on the ground have resulted in three rushing touchdowns. In addition to his rushing stats, Mattison has also made a significant impact in the passing game, recording 25 receptions for 245 receiving yards, which averages out to 24.5 yards per game, along with one touchdown.
This season, Mattison has faced the Falcons three times since 2021, averaging 39.7 rushing yards per game but has yet to break the 100-yard mark against them. Notably, the Falcons have proven to be a challenging opponent for running backs, as no player has managed to rush for over 100 yards against Atlanta in the current season. The Falcons’ defense has allowed six opposing rushers to score touchdowns on the ground, indicating their vulnerability in certain matchups.
Statistically, the Falcons’ defense allows an average of 120.7 rushing yards per game, placing them 16th overall in the NFL for run defense. Their ability to limit rushing touchdowns is noteworthy as they rank second in the league, allowing only 0.5 rushing touchdowns per game, with a total of seven touchdowns scored against them this season.
In terms of Mattison’s betting insights, he has successfully exceeded his rushing yards prop bet on three occasions out of ten this season. The Raiders have predominantly leaned on their passing game, with a pass-to-run ratio of 63.4% to 36.6%, ranking them 31st in the league for scoring. Mattison’s involvement in the Raiders’ rushing strategy is significant, as he has accounted for 34.5% of the team’s total rushing attempts, carrying the ball 97 times out of 281 attempts.
Despite his efforts, Mattison has only scored one rushing touchdown in a game this season, although he has contributed to four of the team’s 22 offensive touchdowns, which is 18.2% of the total. In the red zone, he has been a vital player, with 19 carries, representing 38.0% of the team’s total red zone rushing attempts.
Examining Mattison’s recent performances provides insight into his current form. In Week 11 against the Dolphins, he recorded 5 carries for 19 yards without a touchdown, but he was effective in the passing game with 3 receptions for 50 yards. His performance in Week 9 against the Bengals saw him rush 9 times for 36 yards, but he was unable to make any catches. Against the Chiefs in Week 8, he managed 14 carries for just 15 yards, while also catching 5 passes for 29 yards.
One of his more notable performances came in Week 7 against the Rams, where he rushed for 92 yards on 23 attempts, although he did not score. In Week 6 against the Steelers, he found the end zone once, rushing for 33 yards on 14 attempts and also contributing with 5 receptions for 32 yards.
As the Raiders prepare for their clash with the Falcons, all eyes will be on Alexander Mattison to see if he can break through Atlanta’s defense and help lead his team to victory. With the stakes high and the playoffs approaching, every yard and every touchdown will be crucial for the Raiders’ postseason aspirations.
