Storyline: Oakland’s young guns still have a way to go, which is not totally surprising. The NFL figures out things fast. Every defense is looking to take away Cooper on passes and limit Murray in the run game. All the pressure falls on Carr. Hopefully this young trio will learn what it takes to succeed in the NFL.
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The Oakland Raiders sit at 2-2 after the Chicago Bears kicked a 49-yard field goal at the gun to claim a 22-20 victory. If asked before the season start, “Would you take a .500 record into Week 5?.” a majority of Raider Nation would have happily said, “Yes!” In reality, though, Jack Del Rio’s squad may come to regret this loss after letting the Bears notch their first victory of the season.
Oakland’s youth betrayed the Raiders in Chicago. After a Week 2 win over Cleveland, the Raiders young trio of QB Derek Carr, WR Amari Cooper and RB Latavius Murray were anointed as the new set of star triplets–ready to take on the league. They set a single-game record for most yards in a game for a QB-WR-RB all under the age of 25. In Week 3 hype outshined production on the field.
But Murray couldn’t get the running game going last Sunday and that failure directly caused Oakland’s two turnovers. A Carr pass bounced off his hands and made for an easy interception in the first half. Then, in the second half, Murray let a simple toss hit the ground, recovered by Chicago. Both were critical plays in a two-point loss and it made Murray the goat of the day.
At least he was contrite: “Just took my eyes off it. Was paying attention to the defender. You can’t do that. You’ve got to make sure you secure the ball first and then do what you’re going to do after that. Trying to get out of there and get to some open space. I’ve got to be better at that. And I will.” – Latavius Murray accepting responsibility in the Raiders locker room post-game
I love the accountability, but I’d rather of had Murray learn the lesson after his first case of butter fingers. Murray is the Raiders only bell cow back. He can’t get the yips about carrying the ball.
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Amari Cooper also learned that things aren’t always going to be easy in the NFL. After two consecutive 100-yard games, and a first half of 49 yards and a beautiful toe tap TD, the Bears had seen enough. Chicago used bracket coverage on Cooper in the second half, basically double-teaming him on every play. Cooper was blanked in the second half–zero receptions.
With Cooper not getting open against double coverage, Carr was forced to go elsewhere and the entire Raider offense struggled. The Raiders didn’t have anyone else to accumulate YACs (yards after catch). It was noticeable, too. The Raiders had a pedestrian performance on offense. In the previous two games the Raiders had over 400 yards of total offense. Against the Bears they had 243.
The young guns still have a way to go it appears, which is not totally surprising. The NFL figures out things fast. Every defense will be looking to take away Cooper on pass routes and limit Murray in the run game. That means all the pressure will fall on Carr. Hopefully this young Raider’s trio can add some Ws as they continue to learn what it takes to succeed at the NFL level.
Game Day Observations
The Raiders defense was on the field this week, which means another record-setting performance for the opponent’s TE. This time it was Martellus Bennett with a career high 11 catches, 83 yards, and a TD. Four straight weeks the Raiders D has allowed this kind of performance. Inconceivable!
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Sticking with the tight ends is killing the Raider’s theme. Pro Football Focus reported that opponents are 16-for-16 for 161 yards and two TDs when linebacker Curtis Lofton is in coverage. That would be a 148.2 QB rating with most of those catches by tight ends in the middle of the field. The Raiders have exactly one LB, Malcolm Smith, who can cover anyone.
On 3rd and 2 with just over two minutes left the Raiders rang up a running play that, if successful, would have likely won the game. It did not, of course, and Jack Del Rio had to answer critics of the call. I saw it coming. Defensive coaches are typically conservative by nature. But it wasn’t the call that lost the game; it was the execution. I’m a fan of putting the ball in the QB’s hands to seal a game. I would have been more comfortable if Carr had decided the Raider’s fate on Sunday.
I have to give what is now a weekly shout-out to Charles Woodson–another week, another interception, for this living legend. This pick places him at #10 on the NFL’s all-time interception leaders.
Losing T.J. Carrie early (and for the game) was a big blow to the Raider’s defense. Carrie shifted to safety to compensate for the loss of Nate Allen. He is the most valuable piece in the secondary (with all apologies to CWood). Hopefully he’s just nicked up and will be back for the Denver game. He will be desperately needed against Peyton Manning.
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Player of the Game
I’m going with Aldon Smith here. The past two games have seen Smith become fully incorporated in the Raiders’ defensive scheme. He is starting to respond. He had his first sack in Silver & Black and added 6 tackles and a tipped pass.
The Bears had zero success running the ball his way. With Khalil Mack on the opposite side, the Raiders defense has two bookends to build a defense around.
