Tag: browns

A quick catchup before facing Denver

I witnessed another ass whooping at SoFi last week. Didn’t even blog because I did not want to jinx it. It was a good time and a beautiful day, though. Raiders just never really kept it competitive. Even when it was close early, it did not feel like the Raiders were in reach.

Mind you, this came a week after the Raiders lost to the lowly Browns. Cleveland beat them with a rookie QB the Raiders passed on, to make matters worse.

Now, the voices for Pete Carroll’s job are even louder. I would hate to see a legendary coach like Pete leave after a year. I think it’s dumb to pay a fourth fired coach. But it’s hard to defend him considering he already fired two coordinators. And he brought in a lot of guys. To what? Not win a game in the AFC West? Nah, that is exactly why Pierce got fired.

That’s why the Raiders must win today. They must show grit. They need to beat the AFC West–leading Broncos.

Speaking of, the fact that the Broncos are leading the division is a joke. Up until this year, Denver hadn’t beaten Vegas. Now they are entering their third playoff run with a different core since the Raiders were last dominant?

Last time these teams played, it was a close game. Denver won by three in a game that was ultimately decided by special teams and clock management. Maxx Crosby didn’t get home, but Charles Snowden and Adam Butler did. Corner Kyu Blu Kelly got two interceptions after getting benched. Vegas needs another standout performance from their role players this week. They also need Crosby to get home.

This time, the Raiders are at home. They’ve got a shot if their offensive line doesn’t allow six sacks again. Denver applied pressure from a plethora of characters and blitzes.

Vegas also needs to run the ball better. Jeanty had 60 rushing yards on 19 attempts last time. You gotta get your o-line confident with run blocking when they are overmatched. Last week, Jeanty only got 30 rushing yards on 15 attempts. The week before he only had 50 against the Browns.

At least the passing game has shown some life the last two games. Against Denver, the Raiders only threw for 143 yards. Last week, Geno threw for 165, and the week before he threw for over 250.

This week Vegas needs a breakthrough on offense. Run the ball or pass the ball, just show some life and move the ball.

Defensively, Vegas caught the Broncos on a short week last time. Up until that point, they had shown to be a dynamic offense. Don’t let them go off in Vegas.

Ultimately, if Pete Carroll wants to keep his job, he has to get back to basics. Get these guys competing and just win. Capture that hope and excitement we had at the beginning of the year because playoffs are done this year.

MNF Shame and the Shadeur Show Arrives in Vegas

Here’s a cleaned-up, tightened version with minimal rewrites while fixing grammar, flow, and clarity:

Raider Nation is in full crisis mode after getting blown out by the Cowboys. Already, memes to fire Pete Carroll are everywhere.

Why would you take a risk on such a high-profile coach and not even give him a full offseason? Not to mention, the Raiders are still paying off their last three head coaches.

Either way, the Raiders have never needed the Browns so badly. Cleveland will start QB Shedeur Sanders since Dillon Gabriel got hurt. The Raiders get a first-person view of the QB they passed on. He was mediocre last week as a reserve, but the game plan should allow him to push the ball downfield more. Rumors said Sanders wanted to be a Raider, so expect him to play with an extra chip on his shoulder.

Vegas also needs to figure out Quinshon Judkins and Jerome Ford out of the backfield. Tight ends David Njoku and Harold Fannin Jr. could both have a day against a Raiders team that is historically bad at covering tight ends.

Vegas needs to generate sacks. Cleveland will be without both starting tackles. The Silver and Black got home only once last week—of course, it was Maxx Crosby. Vegas needs someone else on the front four to step up as a consistent disruptor. They had zero interceptions last week. That can’t happen against a rookie QB making his debut on the road.

On defense, the Raiders will see rookie DT Mason Graham, a favorite of theirs in many mock drafts. They’ll also get Alex Wright fresh off a new contract—psych, Wright is out with injury. The Browns still have Myles Garrett, who can embarrass any Raiders tackle on any snap. Former Raiders Shelby Harris and Maliek Collins will also have rotational roles for Cleveland. Vegas gave up another four sacks last week, and that was with extra rest and preparation.

The Raiders have another opportunity to find an identity against another struggling team. Much like the Titans game, a win here doesn’t save either team’s disappointing season. But man, would a win feel better than what the Raiders have put out the last month.

On one hand, the Raiders are a few close losses away from being near .500. On the other hand, there have been games where they never stood a chance. You hire a coach with Pete Carroll’s pedigree because you hope he can win games against teams that are struggling like the Browns.

We know the Raiders have playmakers. We know they struggle to move the ball. We know they struggle to score. We know the defense can make plays and keep games close enough to win. We know special teams can be a difference-maker, both good and bad.

Outside of that? We still have questions across the entire roster. The offensive line has been a mess of a rotation. People are calling for Geno Smith to be benched. People want to know why Ashton Jeanty is struggling. We don’t know who the best receiver is outside of Brock Bowers, despite spending multiple draft picks on wideouts. We don’t have a consistent group of five defensive backs. We feel like we can’t compete with the best teams every single week. We still don’t have a pass rusher outside of Crosby.

You spent a lot of money on Malcolm Koonce for him to sit behind Charles Snowden. You drafted Charles Grant and Caleb Rogers too high to not be able to play them on the o-line. If the Raiders can answer even half of these questions, it will go a long way toward solving this year’s problems—and give Raiders fans something to look forward to next year.

Regardless, the Raiders have to win this week. Not for AFC West standings or playoff hopes, but just to show some damn pride. We’re exhausted from watching this team lose at home, and I’m tired of losing to teams we should beat.

Here We Go Again + Keys to Beating the Broncos

Another year, another star player going scorched earth. Yes, the Raiders pulled out an impressive home victory after looking dead in the water. And Davante Adams reportedly wants a trade.

At this point, Raiders fans should be numb to dysfunction. This ain’t quite Randy Moss, Amari Cooper or Antonio Brown. It is dissapointing to hear Adamas wants out after he said he would retire in the Silver and Black.

Still, Raiders fans have to be realistic. Was this team really going to win a Super Bowl with Adams? Not with what they have at QB. Therefore, trading Adams makes sense. The Raiders proved this week they can win without him. Trading him feels even more right if the Raiders can get a first round pick. That is more than Stefon Diggs got traded for. Obviously, that ends the nice home narrative.

Trading Adams for more than a second round pick feels like an unlikely scenario though. Adams wants a trade to the Saints or Jets. He wants to play with his old QBs. However, neither of those teams really need a receiver. Dallas makes sense but their season seems to be going a different direction. Pittsburgh might also make a call, but their QB situation is only slightly better than the Raiders.

Head coach Antonio Pierce proved he didn’t lose the locker room yet. This drama is a red flag, considering Adams was in Pierce’s corner. More players could easily turn on Pierce if the losses keep coming.

Last week, the team found a way to make enough plays versus the Browns. Cleveland could’ve easily won that game but they didn’t. Alexander Mattison was really the ex-factor as he popped off some big runs. He will get the start with Zach Moss out. Mattison struggled as the starter in Minnesota last year. He may hurt against a tough Denver defense if the offense can’t stretch the field. The Broncos allowed the 12th most rushing yards this season.

Gardner Minshew needs to be more effective this week. He only completed 14 passes for 130 yards. Minshew threw no interceptions or touchdowns. He has to step his game up with Adams out for another game. Brock Bowers only caught a couple of passes. He needs a better week too. Denver allowed the third least passing yards this year.

The Raiders’ offensive line forfeited two sacks to Myles Garrett. That is expected with the injuries they had at tackle. Kolton Miller should be back this week, even if Thayer Munford is out. The pass rush should improve this week since the Broncos don’t have an elite rusher like Garrett.

Otherwise, we saw Brock Bowers get a rush attempt last week. Let’s see the Raiders sprinkle in some trickery with Tre Tucker and Jakobi Meyers. If the offense struggles to get them the ball downfield, try to get them the ball with some blockers in front.

Overall, this week should feature a defensive battle. Denver is off a win where they threw for less than 100 yards. They did find Courtland Sutton for a TD reception. His size could give the Raiders problems.

Vegas also needs to stop the run. Last week, both Jaleel McLaughlin and Javonte Williams averaged over 4.5 yards-per-carry. Ideally, they offer a blend of power and explosiveness. They combined for 123 rushing yards against a stout Jets defense.

The Raiders manufactured pass rush last week. Janarius Robinson and Christian Wilkins split a sack. Charles Snowden and Isaiah Pola-Mao got home too. Vegas needs similar contributions across the board this week.

Safety Trevon Moehrig came up big with an interception last week. It was one of Watson’s only mistakes in the entire game. The Raiders need more plays from their DBs this week. They also don’t want to make it easy with any blown coverages. Vegas almost gave up a huge passing play to Amari Cooper.

Denver fields a young QB who doesn’t take a lot of chances. The Raiders need to stay discipline rushing the passer. Apply pressure but don’t force Bo Nix into 8 rush attempts like they did Watson.

We will find out who the Raiders are this week. Will this offense find a spark with Adams out? Can Mattison claim the starting RB role with White out? Do they trade Adams or find a way to work it out? Are the Raiders the team that edged out the Ravens and Browns? Or are they the team that got outclassed by the Panthers and Chargers?

The Raiders need to establish the run and find ways to spread the ball around to a variety of play makers. They will need to nickel and dime this stingy Denver Defense. Corner Patrick Surtain has an edge on every Raiders receiver, with Adams out.

Defensively, the Raiders will again need to get creative to generate pass rush. Crosby leaves a crater on the defense, but Tyree Wilson needs to step up. Robinson and Snowden are great stories but we can only rely on them so much. Wilkins needs to dominate against the run and pass. All the Raiders need to tackle well against a slippery Denver backfield. Vegas needs to play physical versus an equally desperate AFC West rival.

A win here steadies the Raiders against all these distractions. Losing sets them back more in the standings and they lose leverage with Adams. They have a tough stretch of schedule before their bye week in a month.

Ultimately, the Raiders need to establish their identity against the Broncos. Denver has yet to beat the Vegas Raiders. There is no need to start now.

Last Week was a Joke but this Game versus the Browns is not

Last week was a total abomination. There is no reason to lose to a desperate Carolina Panthers team. I don’t care if Andy Dalton took a stroll back to his Bengals’ days. The head coach’s lack of accountability after did not help.

Tackling was an issue in the run game. The offense has yet to find any consistency outside of two quarters in Baltimore.

Talk about business decisions and effort. Aren’t these the same players that banged the table for AP? Jack Jones’ performance last year damn near got AP the job. Now, Jones is being called out for his effort?

It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. The only thing that adds up is that it keeps happening to us. Between the bad drafting and coaching, it looks like the Raiders are wasting the primes of Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams. Both will be out with injuries these week. The Raiders will also be down their starting tackle and some other key rotational pieces.

All in all, the Raiders will show their true identity this week. Are they the team that willed their way to a win over an underperforming Baltimore Ravens team? Are they the squad that got clipped by the Panthers? Will they bounce back and respond for Antonio Pierce?

Another blowout loss would be almost as bad as Detroit last season. Down his top players, AP is coaching for his job. I am not saying they will fire him after this game, but a 1-3 start does not sxream playoff contendee. Double that if the team loses and/or loses bad here. Contract obligations alone should keep Pierce safe. I doubt the Raiders pay another coach to not coach again this soon. However, they might if it gwrs much uglier.

Either way, I get on here every week and write the same keys in a different column. Vegas needs to push the ball, control the clock with the run game, create turnovers and sack the QB. This is Raiders’ football and the brand AP pitched to us. If they do play this style, they are tough to beat. Unfortunately, that style is also hard to play with many players hurt.

That is also the problem. The Raiders draft like they’re a single player away each year. They sign mid-level free agents like they have so much talent on their roster. Last week was a reminder that rosters in the NFL are closer than they appear. Vegas may need an actual full rebuild if they stumble any lower.

Luckily, the Browns have problems of their own. Tight end David Njoku will sit, which is a relief for the Raiders. Tackles Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills are both ouf. Starting guard Joel Bitonio, running back Jerome Ford and backup tackle Dawand Jones are all banged up. Even if they play, the Raiders defense should benefit from this hobbled attack.

Cleveland starts QB DeShaun Watson. Watson is again in off-field distractions. However, he does have Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy. Both players have had their success versus the Raiders’ in the past. It is hard to imagine a bounce-back game given how great Carolina’s receivers looked last week. Then again, maybe that is why coached called out the Vegas defense.

Defensively, Cleveland is not playing at the same level as last year. But they are still stout with Myles Garrett and Za’darius Smith on the edge. Former Raiders Quinton Jefferson and Shelby Harris play opposite Dalvin Tomlinson. The Raiders’ interior offensive line needs to step up. Zamir White has not done anything through three games.

In the secondary, the Browns have yet to register an interception. All five starters registered INTs last year. Not the case this year but that could change. Especially with Adams out, guys like Denzel Ward can take bigger chances.

At this point, the Raiders need to lean on Brock Bowers heavy. He is the biggest mismatch on the field. They also should look to get Jakobi Meyers or Tre Tucker going early with some trick plays.

Vegas canot afford any turnovers given the missing fire power. At home, they need to get their ground game in rythm.

Defensively, it all comes down to the defensive line. Vegas must apply pressure versus the banged up Cleveland line. Christian Wilkins needs to earn every bit of his huge contract with Crosby out. Perhaps we see him at end even. Tyree Wilson needs to play like a top-10 pick from a year ago. He needs to use his hands and find fhe ball.

Otherwise, Janarius Robinson has been a nice find. John Jenkins and Adam Butler were similar vet finds last year. Butler and Jenkins should be relied on even more versus the Browns. Cleveland is going to at least try and establish the run.

Finally, the Raiders secondary needs to find a way to make a play. They need to tackle well and play discipline. After last week, this unit needs to be perfecf.

In the end, the gameplan should not change much. Last week was a gutcheck moment. Will Vegas bounce back or will they fall further into losing habits? This is an even bigger game since it is against a better team, the Raiders are coming off a loss and this is a conference game.

Regardless, Vegas does need to show some heart at home. Just Win Baby!

Raiders versus Browns 2020

The Raiders are again .500 after a Tampa Bay loss that got away from them. Against Tampa Bay they showed an ability to make big plays. They will need that versus the Browns today.

Las Vegas’ defense got carved up again. They can not fallback again versus a Browns team down Odell for the season.

Cleveland is 5-2 with big losses to their rivals the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. They blew the games to the contenders but beat the Colts, Cowboys, Washington and Cowboys for what it is worth.

The Raiders have quality wins over the Saints and Chiefs but losses to the Pats, Bills and Buccs that make it hard to see thus team as a playoff squad.

That is why this game is important. The Browns and Raiders could duke it out for the three Wild Card spots in the AFC. Of course, it’s the Raiders and Browns we are talking about so anything can happen.

Las Vegas gets a boost if Trent Brown can play. Although it seems unlikely after his bout with COVID last week. He is inactive with another illness this week.

The offense could also gain Bryan Edwards back. Their offense looks good with Ruggs opening up the playbook for everyone else.

Still, the Raiders have the type of defense the Browns can get into rhythm against. Hunt could pose a problem for the Raiders as a runner and receiver. Baker Mayfield could find his rhythm too.

Defensively, Cleveland could pose some issues for the Raiders. They are down Brown. Kolton Miller is nursing a shoulder and gets matched up with Myles Garrett. The rest of the defensive line is fast.

Don’t forget Karl Joseph in the secondary. You know he is familiar with Derek Carr and wants revenge versus the team that drafted him in the first round.

Vegas will not win any game with Josh Jacobs only rushing for 17 yards. He was limited in practice this week but the Raiders will need him to play and be effective.

On defense, the Silver and Black need their defensive line to step up. Arden Key was also limited this week so Nate Irving might see some time. Either way, the Raiders need to find a way to get to Baker.

Again, the Raiders keys to victory will come down to the defensive line creating pressure. When they are good, this team finds a way to make enough stops.

Their offense is less of a problem but needs a close game. They can’t afford to play from behind because they rely on ball control, running the rock and catching teams off guard with big plays. You need your defense to make stops and that starts with pressuring the QB.

Are the Raiders the Worst in the NFL? Battle of the Bay, no trades before Halloween and more

I can’t believe I’m happy to say that we competed versus the Indianapolis Colts last week. It’s truth though. Last Sunday was the first week I enjoyed watching the 2018 Raiders.

Their adjustments and talent weren’t great, sure, but I finally saw young players like Gareon Conley and Karl Joseph playing. Were they great? No, but you want to see young talent playing from a rebuilding team.

More importantly, Derek Carr played hard. He didn’t let all the distractions effect him. He looked like he was finally having fun again. That’s a long way from the dude who was ‘crying’ only a few weeks ago.

It was honestly the first time I felt like Gruden’s plan was in the process. I felt the buy-in from the squad even if it didn’t result in a win.

Are the Raiders the worst team in the NFL?

Only two seasons ago we were talking about them being the best and now we’re talking about them being the worst. SMFH.

Either way, the Raiders are among the worst teams in the standings. They look like by-far the worst team in the AFC West. Moreover, they aren’t really set at any position. They’re filled with wholes at the key positions including RB, QB, OL, DL, CB, LB and damn near every position. QB is the only position you could say the Raiders have set but even that depends on how he plays and meshes with his coach moving forward this season. Oh yeah, there is LT too with Kolton Miller and some of the OL depending what happens after this year.

Outside of that, they barely beat the Browns who fired the coach this week. Cleveland has 1.5 wins more than Oakland. They also have already found key players on the d-line, in the backfield, at receiver and in the secondary.

Further, comparisons to sorry teams don’t fall in the Raiders favor either. Buffalo has one more win for Pete’s sake. The Colts also beat us even if they looked like trash in the process.

In the NFC, there’s the Cardinals. Sure, they only have one more win but they have a QB, RB and possibly a WR to build around. There defense was also great not too long ago and still has a lot of players with name recognition.

Even the Giants, who have the same record as the Raiders, appear better. New York at least has a franchise savior at RB and WR. Their defense is grossly overpaid and overhyped but still has more talent than Oakland.

Then you have the 49ers…. Even they have a QB sort of. Jimmy G has a limited sample size of success but don’t tell that to 9ers Stans. They also have key young players throughout the defense that give them a nice nucleus for the future. They’ve also been in the lottery a lot more than some of the other sorry teams this season mentioned earlier.

Battle of the Bay

Well, we will certainly find out this week, tonight, versus the 49ers. Oakland has another toilet bowl on their schedule as both teams enter the game with only one win.

Sure, it’s the battle of the bay and supposed to be a rivalry game but does anyone actually care outside of the bay? Again, who knows.

I’d expect a physical game even if it isn’t a good game. The Raiders should win consider the 49ers are depleted by injury and starting a third string QB whose name I can’t even recall.

On the other hand, a loss here would be horrible for the Raiders. If you win one game this season it better be versus the 49ers. Moreover, we all know who wins the fight after and the drinking battle before, #RaiderNation.

No trades at the deadline

Apparently, the Raiders biggest trades already happened. We all know the squad already moved franchise cornerstones Amari Cooper and Khalil Mack but they were expected to keep making trades anyways. Derek Carr, Karl Joseph, Gareon Conley and others were rumored to get moved. It made sense if the Raiders were going all-in for tanking. Besides, one team’s trash is another persons treasure.

However, nothing happened and it is okay. I don’t know if I could have stomached another trade. It is a little disappointing that guys like Rodney Hudson, Bruce Irvin and Kelechi Osemele are stuck playing for a sorry team this late into their career. However, they’re all compensated well and professionals. It will be interesting to see how they and other veterans factor into the Raiders plans after this season.

Nonetheless, I’m sure Oakland tried to move those players. They just couldn’t find good value and figured they’d be better off saving those chips and letting them play out. Who knows, maybe young guys Karl Joseph and Gareon Conley can turn their careers around and get Gruden to believe in them.

Ultimately, a team can only take so much change. The Raiders couldn’t afford to make another deal just for the sake of it. Their team is another roster move away from being the laughing stock of the league so keeping their talent should’ve always been a priority.