Tag: Brock Bowers

A Battle in the Bay + Insights from Last Month

It’s been a wild few weeks, capped off by a Kirko Chainz sighting last week. Vegas took a thrashing from the Patriots, while Bills and Rams fans lived their best lives in LV during two more losses. All that led to the Raiders pulling out a close victory over their former starting quarterback, Geno Smith. It came down to the last play.

San Francisco is off a bye week. They also added a familiar foe by bringing DeForest Buckner back. Still, the 49ers’ offense has been surprisingly explosive this year. Even with Mike Evans in and out of the lineup, they’re top 10 in total offense and top five in total scoring. Their red-zone offense is scoring touchdowns on 87% of its trips.

Ultimately, this game is going to come down to the run game. Christian McCaffrey has had his share of standout performances versus the Raiders. The Raiders’ defense is damn near allowing 150 rushing yards per game. Josh Allen, Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford all carved them up recently. Even Geno Smith got his opportunities despite the late pick. Brock Purdy has nowhere near the arm talent of those guys. However, Purdy is excellent at getting the ball out. And any fantasy owner can tell you he’s having a great year, even with a revolving door of receivers.

Further, the Raiders’ run game has been hot and cold. Ashton Jeanty has struggled in his sophomore year, and the Raiders have struggled to mix Mike Washington into the fold consistently week to week. Regardless, they can’t keep leaving points on the board by not scoring in the red zone. Jeanty, Washington, a white RB, doesn’t matter. Just score.

Moreover, Vegas has allowed 11 sacks. They’ll see a consistent pass rush from Nick Bosa, Buckner and a slew of other highly athletic front-seven players. Still, Kirk Cousins is second in the league in passing touchdowns. Expect to see some more Jalen Nailor with Dont’e Thornton still listed as inactive. The 49ers’ secondary has just three interceptions this year. Vegas needs its receivers to step up. Kirk also needs to lean on his tight ends. Brock Bowers had two touchdowns last week, but Fred Warner and company pose a stronger coverage threat against him.

In the end, the Raiders’ offense has been solid. Their defense has been good in spots, horrible in others. Their running game has struggled, and their big plays have been up and down. This is the midpoint of the season where we should really get a better idea of who they are. Their .500 record could really go either way. Now, they’re facing another longtime cross-Bay rival.

What I will say is the Raiders have been good at sticking to the game plan. One week they seemingly exploit Tre Tucker matchups. Next week they’re spamming to Brock Bowers. Credit Klint Kubiak for that.

This week, the Raiders need to continue to find ways to create pressure and generate turnovers. They must limit CMC from making big plays. They must find ways to make big plays themselves and leave no points on the board in the red zone.

Nonetheless, the vibes from Santa Clara look immaculate. The gray fog hangs over the Bay. The Silver and Black regulars are seen all over the San Francisco tailgate, south of the place we once called home. All that starts with great trench play on both sides. Win the trenches and the Raiders got a shot.

If ever there were a day for an upset, today might be the day. F the 9ers!

It’s too early to not rebound versus Pats

The Raiders looked legit last week against the Chiefs. They were a few special teams errors short of being undefeated. Most importantly, the team maintained its energy and kept fighting. They looked like a legitimate playoff contender against a real playoff contender.

Now, they travel to New England to face the defending AFC champs. The Patriots are .500 after taking their lumps through the first few games.

Both offenses are in the middle of the pack. The Raiders hold an advantage when it comes to creating pressure and turnovers. However, their red-zone defense has been a problem. They’ve given up way too many touchdowns.

Vegas won in New England last year. That was before the Patriots got hot, and this is a new season. The Pats are fresh off a big win against Buffalo.

Containing Drake Maye is job No. 1. He is one of the league’s most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks, capable of beating teams with his arm and legs. Vegas will need to create turnovers.

Additionally, we still haven’t seen this running game operating on all four wheels. Let’s see them get Ashton Jeanty and Mike Washington both going.

There is a lot of talk about the Raiders acquiring a receiver on the trade block. That won’t help them today. Vegas needs one of its receivers to step up and make a big play. More importantly, they need someone to step up and say, “Put it on me.”

Thus far, Vegas has been leveraging its tight ends as the No. 1 receiving threat. I expect Mike Vrabel and the Pats to take that away as much as possible.

If the Raiders can run the ball, create turnovers and limit big plays, they can win this. Most of all, we want to see them bounce back after a loss. No sloppy play. No turnovers or penalties. No loss of hope.

Just win, baby!

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!