Tag: Alvin Kamara

Finally winning at SoFi + How to win in New Orleans

Last week, my column was going to start with “Don’t get your hopes up. Vegas started last season 1-0 too.” However, the Raiders finally did it. They finally won at SoFi with fans in attendance.

Honestly, the whole day had that winning vibe. Raiders fans always take over SoFi, no matter how much they shrink the parking lot or remind us that alcohol sales are cut off at halftime. Regardless, the Raiders showed up and showed out.

Overall, the first two games have felt like something new. Sure, we are 2-0 for the first time in five years. But more importantly, the Raiders have an energy and aura around them that feels authentic. It’s not manufactured by a name at the helm or by the players being enabled by a “players’ coach.” The Raiders have real momentum that makes this resurgence feel different from years past. It finally feels like we can expect to win again!

Now, we face a New Orleans team that is equally young and hot and is surprisingly building momentum. They are coming off a stunning touchdown victory against the Baltimore Ravens, a week after losing to the Detroit Lions in OT. The Saints look like a resilient team that the Raiders will struggle to put away. They’ve got a second-year quarterback Vegas must make uncomfortable.

Thus far, the Raiders’ pass rush has been effective. In Week 1, Kwity Paye was the star with several sacks. They mostly came from coverage, but schematically, the Raiders’ defense has operated well. Last week, Malcolm Koonce came up with crucial sacks. Nakobe Dean has also been an effective blitzer with 1.5 sacks this year. New Orleans has allowed eight sacks this year, meaning Vegas will get some opportunities.

Offensively, Raiders receiver Jack Bech will return to his home state, where he played at LSU, and to the city where his twin brother was killed in the New Year’s tragedy. Vegas will need Bech to come out with some consistency. Tre Tucker has been the Raiders’ de facto No. 1 receiver. He earned the designation with a big touchdown catch. Vegas will need both receivers to be dynamic. Vegas will get Brock Bowers back, meaning they’ll have their full passing offense for this game. Let’s see some of the double-tight-end creativity we hoped for all year.

That should also open up some running lanes for Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty is amid a bounce-back sophomore campaign, showing impact as a pass catcher and runner. I expect him to have a big game against the Saints. I’d also like to see more of Mike Washington as a change of pace. He’s a bigger, more straight-line runner than Jeanty, which means he could easily pop a few big gains if given more meaningful opportunities to play off Jeanty’s shiftiness.

Moreover, the defensive backs have been better than expected. Hezekiah Masses picked off Justin Herbert twice last week. Treydan Stukes picked off Malik Willis the week before. Vegas is going to need some turnovers this week too.

New Orleans features an offense filled with a variety of playmakers at each level. Juwan Johnson and Noah Fant are two athletic tight ends who can give the Raiders some problems. Out of the backfield, the Saints have Travis Etienne, Kendre Miller and Alvin Kamara, offering all kinds of speed, versatility and explosiveness. Vegas needs its linebackers and safeties to play disciplined football.

Defensively, Saints edge rusher Chase Young already has 1.5 sacks this year. Vegas has only given up two sacks this year, both last week. This week’s defensive line is not as good as Los Angeles’, but it’s better than Miami’s. We should get a better read on our pass protection after this week.

Ultimately, these teams aren’t dissimilar. Both will try to run the ball. Both are going to try to get creative in the passing game to overcome limitations. Both have energy and play in domes. Vegas will hope its veteran QB, Kirk Cousins, gives it an edge over Tyler Shough.

However, New Orleans probably has the best pure receiver on the field in Chris Olave. Vegas will try to spam Bowers since he is back. Each team will try to control the clock with its running backs. Vegas will lean more on Jeanty, while New Orleans will use a true committee approach with no real letdown.

If the Raiders can run the ball, stop the run and get after the quarterback, they could be looking at an easy 3-0. Kansas City looks great, but a win this week could make Vegas the team to beat in the AFC West.

Otherwise, a road letdown here could easily make us feel like not much has changed. Regardless, let’s hope for the best. Just win, baby!

How the Raiders can beat the Saints

The Raiders are 2-4 in a loaded AFC. The Colts, Bengals, Chargers, Patriots, Dolphins and Jets all sit above them in the AFC Wild Card race. That does not even include the four division leads. Vegas needs a win bad.

Big Game in the Bayou

They face a Saints team battling injuries at receiver, offensive line and quarterback. Andy Dalton has had his days versus the Raiders. Taysum Hill could give the Raiders backers problems. Tre’quan Smith and Marquez Calliway give the receiving until big play ability across rookie Rondale Moore, even without Michael Thomas or Jarvis Landry. The Saints offensive line is good, led by the trio of Erik McCoy, Andrus Peat and Ryan Ramczyk. Alvin Kamara is a big play and versatile nightmare for the Raiders. New Orleans is top-10 in rushing yards, which means the Raiders must play discipline in the run game and find ways to get off the field.

Don’t make it easy on New Orleans

Vegas needs Maxx Crosby to have some company. Bilal Nichols and Clelin Ferrell need to rush the passer. Andrew Billings needs to push the pocket. Chandler Jones needs a big game on Andy Dalton. Don’t let Dalton just sit back there dumping the ball to his playmakers uninterrupted. New Orleans has a top-10 passing attack in terms of yards.The Raiders secondary needs to make tackles on Hill and Kamara. John Abram and Trevon Moehrig have played terrible. No more blown coverage. The Saints have tons of speed outside, which can hurt the Raiders.

Establish the run

On defense, the line Saints line is big, physical and length enough to give the Raiders some problems. Cam Jordan is among the best at his position in this generation. He already has 4.5 sacks this season. Marcus Davenport has length and explosiveness to give the Raiders tackles some issues. Linebacker Demario Davis finds his way to the ball. Josh Jacobs is going to be challenged. Jacobs needs to keep the Raiders offense ahead of the chains.Vegas is much better on third and short than third and long.

Find the mismatches

Safeties Marcus Maye and Tyrann Mathieu also have a nose for the ball. The Honey Badger knows the Raiders well from his seasons as a Chief. New Orleans will be down two of their main corners including Marshon Lattimore. This is Davante Adams and Mack Hollins time to eat. The Raiders must take advantage of their speed and physical presence outside. For sure, Waller and Renfrow will need to take advantage of Adams getting shadowed and double teamed. Adams got to set the tone early and often. Every time he touches the ball he is a threat so the Raiders must give him some touches.

Execute

This team showed what they are capable versus the Texans. It does appear the team is gaining an identity with Josh Jacobs and Adams leading the offense. They still could have started a little faster if we want to get picky.

On paper, the Raiders should beat the Saints. Vegas has more talent and less injuries than New Orleans. People point to this as the easy part of the schedule for the Silver and Black. The Raiders still have to prove it by executing. Fans know anything can happen on the road.

Stick to the plan

It’s no coincidence Jacobs went off in both the Raiders win. He was running that hard even when they were losing their first three games. The offensive line was figuring it itself out but Jacobs looked like he was running with intention. Vegas’ interior offensive line improved their surge and double-teams which is why Jacobs finally started getting free.

If they Raiders get Jacobs gong again this week I’ll say they are starting to get some momentum. This team needs to get to .500 before I feel like they learned how to win or close games. The Raiders have to prove they can do it in back-to-back weeks on the road before they look poised for a climb back into the postseason conversation.

Throw in some play action

Vegas needs to utilize some play action to get the Saints biting in the middle if the field where Waller and Renfrow run. The offensive line needs to be on its best behavior for that game plan to work. The last thing the Raiders want is third and long where the Saints ends can just get upfield on Raiders tackles that can easily get beat by speed and strong hands.

Hollins is making us forget Bryan Edwards and Seth Roberts. He needs to keep taking advantage of mismatches and gaps in coverage. Foster Moreau also could be an x-factor due to his ability to block well and slip through coverage.

Sprinkle in a play or two

The Raiders defense is also going to need to keep stepping up. Duron Harmon has made plays in the Raiders wins and losses. He needs support from the young guys around him, especially if the defense takes big lumps. Moehrig and Abrams need to make plays if they are going to give up plays.

Denzel Perryman also needs to make his presence felt without getting exploited in the pass game. Abrams and Divine Deablo gotta make tackles. Ferrell needs to show he can get off his blockers. Nichols needs to anchor the run. Billings gotta stay on the field and find ways to push the pocket. Yeah, I wrote that twice. This Raiders defense needs someone besides Harmon and Crosby to make a play. 

Keep building

If the Raiders can get a turnover, sack the quarterback more than once, get Jacobs established and feed Adams then they will beat the Saints. That formula should beat most teams. Vegas needs to execute by staying ahead of the chains on offense and getting off the the field on defense. A road win over the Saints should help the Raiders feel more confident headed into Jacksonville next week. It might help this team finally feel like they found an identity to build on too.