Storyline: For the Oakland Raiders the problem is its record-breaking defense. The Raiders just broke a 65-year-old NFL record by allowing over 1000 yards in its first two games.
Courtesy: panicbutton.sportsblog.com
The Oakland Raiders came out unbelievably flat in their home opener and ended up on the short end, 35-28, against the Atlanta Falcons. The defense was atrocious for the second straight week–historically bad–breaking a 65-year-old NFL record by allowing over 1000 yards in the first two games.
Atlanta did whatever they damn well pleased on offense. Three Falcon tight ends accumulated 11 catches for 180 yards and a TD. Two Atlanta running backs combined for 140 yards, rushing at almost five yards a pop. All-Pro WR Julio Jones wasn’t even 100%, but had over a hundred yards and a TD. QB Matt Ryan wasn’t particularly sharp and still threw for almost 400 yards and 3 TDs.
This Raiders defense is a complete sieve right now. The playoffs are a pipe dream until the Raiders’ defense exhibits the will to slow down the opposition. Even with the Raiders’ defense woes, they still had every chance in the 4th quarter to win. A series of plays went against Oakland and changed the course of the game.
Falcon’s Justin Hardy catches tipped ball (photo, sfbay.ca)
The score was tied at 21 and the Falcons were driving yet again. Ryan found Jones on a 48-yard bomb (horrible ball skills exhibited by safety Reggie Nelson), but the Raiders had forced a 3rd and 6 at the eight-yard line. On third down Ryan zipped a slant, but Raiders CB David Amerson had great coverage and the ball was tipped high in the air. The Raiders D was ultra-slow to react and the Falcons’ Justin Hardy grabbed the jump ball.
TD Atlanta. One of the Raiders’ best defensive plays resulted in a TD.
The Raiders responded on the very next drive. Derek Carr scrambled around on third down and threw a laser to Amari Cooper, who cut through three Falcon defenders for a 51-yard TD. The game was ted and the Coliseum was rocking.
But, oh wait! There’s a penalty flag.
Cooper went out of bounds prior to the pass and was called for illegal touching. There was instant deflation followed by an upcoming 4th down. But Coach Jack Del Rio was on a winning streak with 4th Down calls in 2016 and he decided to roll the dice once again. It was a gutsy call with over seven minutes left and the ball at the fifty, but faith in his defense had to be at an all-time low.
I didn’t mind the call at all, but the result was a game killer. Jalen Richard was stuffed a yard short and it was Atlanta’s ball in a short field. Ryan had been racking up third downs conversions all day and had another chance at the Raiders’ 43. Ryan stepped back to throw, but the ball was tipped by Stacey McGee and fluttered … right into the arms of another Falcons’ tight end for the first down.
The Falcons continued the drive and eventually scored, going up 35-21. What a letdown for Raider Nation!
The team finally has expectations, talent, and believers (every PFF prognosticator had the Raiders winning in Week 2) the team always fails to win big games at home. With an average defense this team could make the playoffs, but this defense is playing far from average right now.
Del Rio and DC Ken Norton Jr need to figure something out in a hurry.
Game Day Observations
The offense isn’t the problem for this Raiders’ team, but a little consistency would help out a great deal. The Raiders defense actually did stop Atlanta a few times in the first half, but the Raiders offense couldn’t put points on the board to alter Atlanta’s game plan.
Carr and the offense has to carry this team right now and early strikes might take pressure off the beleaguered defense. Slow offensive starts and bad defense is not a good combo.
The Raiders seem to be re-living the recent past. In early 2015 the team couldn’t cover the middle of the field: TEs and RBs had their way in the first half of last year. But that deficiency could be attributed to a new scheme and coaching staff. This year it’s a mystery. The talent is not historically bad like the production suggests, except perhaps at linebacker. The Raiders could really use some help at the position, including growth from the younger guys.
Latavious Murray is stepping up for the Raiders (photo, Matt Kartozian,USA TODAY )Sports
At least the Raiders finally have a rushing attack, a three-headed monster with Latavius Murray, DeAndre Washington, and Jalen Richard splitting the load. Even FB Jamize Olawale gets a touch now and then, too. The team is averaging 161 yards per game and every RB can be dangerous to the opposition. And Oakland really needs a strong rushing attack to maintain ball control.
On defense, it’s easy to blame the pass rush because Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin are quiet each game, but I agree with Del Rio about coverage being the issue. Everytime the opposing QB scans the field he has wide open options. It just seems too easy right now for opposing offenses.
Truth be known that I’ve been screaming “Too fucking easy!” way too much over these past two weeks.
Player of the Game
Maybe I should go with QB Derek Carr, but I didn’t think he played a great game–despite the stats. So my pick is Latavius Murray. He didn’t get a lot of touches, but his production was solid. Several times he seemed to be trapped in the backfield, but then ran his way out of it. Murray has much more help this year. Perhaps the extra freshness and competition is bringing out the best in him.
