Raiders’ Jeanty Says Some Jets Defenders ‘Don’t Really Want to Tackle’

Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty criticized unnamed New York Jets defenders before the teams’ Week 8 matchup, saying some “don’t really want to tackle” as he predicted the Raiders could get their rushing attack back on track. Jeanty made the remarks to reporters ahead of the game, scheduled for Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. He did not identify any Jets players. His comments came as the Raiders sought improvement in a ground game that ranked 31st in the NFL in rushing yards, according to the reports. Through Week 7, Jeanty had 328 rushing yards on 106 carries, averaging 3.1 yards per carry. That average was below his mark in his 2025 rookie season. In the Raiders’ Week 7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, he had eight carries for 15 yards, both season lows. Las Vegas lost 35-21. The Jets had allowed the ninth-most rushing yards in the league through their first seven games. In their previous outing, a 28-25 loss to the Miami Dolphins, New York gave up 156 rushing yards. That total included 103 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries by Miami running back Ollie Gordon II. Jeanty’s comments drew criticism from fans quoted in social-media posts, with some questioning...