Tag: afc west

Just Don’t Lose, Please

Almost everything hit the fan a few days ago when the Raiders got dominated by the Colts. Big runs broke, safeties got beat and the Raiders gave up 40 points.

It was the latest memory we have of Derek Carr driving meaningless down the field while down more than two scores. He and the offense struggles in the red zone, turning it over and not finishing drives with touchdowns. Philip Rivers showed what he can do with a defense that can create turnovers paired with above average skill players and line. The only thing the team did right was establishing Jacobs early and firing their defensive coordinator after the game ended.

Now, the Raiders face an AFC West rival Chargers team down significant depth. Anram, Arnette, Lawson and Heath out mean the secondary is paper thin. Morrow is quietly only competent backer and he will sit. Ferrell missing the game hurts the rush and pass defense.

Both teams only got a few days rest. Yet, the Chargers will play hobbled Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Austin Ekler could play too. This team is playing better than when Vegas barely beat them on the road. Justin Herbert keeps improving and Joey Bosa won’t sit this game out. Los Angeles might not be playing for the playoffs but damn straight they want to eliminate the Raiders’ playoff chances.

Baker Mayfield and the Browns did not due us any favors when they lost to the Baltimore Ravens. There are four teams within a game for that last spot. The Raiders’ only chance to make the playoffs is by winning out. They got to beat the Bolts, Dolphins and Broncos. Based off last week’s performance, it is hard to see them winning this game let alone two more. However, this team is at home and desperate for success Year One in Vegas.

Rod Marinelli enters the fold at defensive coordinator. He is one of the most well respected coordinators ever but his d-line has been far from great this year. The defense he managed in Dallas last year died as the season went on. Marinelli’s opening press conference talked a lot about discipline but he should start with his own unit.

The good thing is, the Chargers o-line is far from perfect. Vegas should make a statement by attacking the line and young QB with more blitzes but that will be hard with limitations in the back end. How will the Raiders matchup with Williams and Allen? Even hobbled they have speed and size to embarrass the Raiders’ best DBs.

Offensively, the Raiders need to attack too. The Chargers can give up big plays and they struggle with the run. Vegas needs to come out strong with their identity. Run the ball and take shots deep. Find that sense of urgency again.

Controlling the clock is one way you keep Herbert out of rhythm. However, it doesn’t matter if the Raiders let the Chargers run all over them. That’s the discipline this team needs. Stopping the run and giving yourself a chance to make a play on the ball. Sure, the Raiders secondary might get beat by elite talent anyways but they can’t beat themselves by doing too much, getting out of position or getting penalties. Limiting those mental eras alone could help the Raiders win this game and save their season. At the very least they won’t lose it.

Ultimately, this division game at a weird time on weird day will come down to will. It’s cliche but true when both teams are tired and hate each other. Thus, the Raiders gotta be themselves but they also got to find ways to not kill themselves. Run the ball, take chances deep, stop the run and give yourself a chance to stop the pass is how the Raiders don’t lose this game or their playoff chances.

Lessons from the collapse to the Chiefs

What did we learn from the Raiders collapse versus the Chiefs in a 28-10 loss despite the Raiders early loss?

First, the Chiefs are again the class of the AFC West still. Oakland looked like they could be sneaky good when they were up 10-0 early versus their rivals. Then, the Chiefs turned it on for a quarter and that was it. They coasted their way to the win.

Second, the Raiders are better than Denver but not by much. Sometimes, when something like that 10-0 lead seems too good to be true it probably is. Even if the Raiders aren’t as bad as some thought they were that doesn’t mean they’re as good as the elite Chiefs.

Last, maybe the AFC West isn’t as good as any of us hoped. The Raiders have played a third of their division schedule already and split the results. On one hand, they’re better than Denver but the Broncos at least kept it close. The Chargers on the other hand lost thanks to some kicking yet again. They own the same record as Oakland after a loss in Week Two. To be determined.

Either way, the Raiders got to find a way to build around that 10-0 start and forget the rest. Their pass rush and secondary looked closer to last year than the week before. Carr too.

The schedule is too tough. Oakland needs wins fast or it might get ugly. There’s no one that’s gonna save the Raiders. The guys on the trade block are mostly expensive DBs. Sure, Ramsey might help but he ain’t playing defensive end. Oakland already has too much invested in the secondary. You got Joyner’s fat contract. Conley, Mullen, Abram and Joseph are all high picks. Riley, Worley and Harris are supposed to be good vets. Don’t forget the wasted pick on Obi. Oakland can’t afford trading a high pick or paying a big contract for a DB. They need more pass rush and it’s not clear that is out there on the trading block.

The point is, the Raiders got outclassed by the Chiefs. It won’t be the last time they’re overmatched. I think the game was a reality check for the Raiders after they bullied a sorry Broncos team. Oakland won’t be home for a while which means they got to find a way to put that collapse behind them and Just Win Baby!

Trade deadline passes and Raiders stay put

Surprise! The Oakland Raiders made no changes before the trade deadline passed.

In four years as general manager, Reggie Mckenzie continues to not make any trades.

 

Of course fans like myself would like to see him take some gambles. However, the team is winning this year so I’ll keep my mouth shut.

In past years I have been adament about the Raiders making a play on some star power. This year I would have said the same, but the Raiders are in the playoff hunt. Moreover, they have all of their draft picks.

Raider fans know Reggie McKenzie loves him some draft picks.

Some of the names rumored on the trading block included Brian Cushing and Eric Weddle. Who wants some washed up defensive players?

Sheldon Richardson and Jason Pierre-Paul are probably the only names I would have traded for. They have enough off-field risks to warrant a discount price.

But let’s get real. It still would have cost a couple of high draft picks. Not worth it considering the Raiders are young and only getting better.

Plus, McKenzie has done a fine enough job scouring the waiver wire. He found gold in cornerback David Amerson.

Oakland basically resurrected Amerson’s career. Not to mention, he licked his chops with a hit on Geno Smith this Sunday versus the New York Jets.

Then there was also the Week 1 signing of Aldon Smith. Smith faced some legal troubles, but McKenzie took the gamble. Now he might have a cornerstone pass rusher across from Khalil Mack

Hence, we should forget about the trade deadline. Lets just be happy we are winning.

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js