Tell the Truth Wednesday: Raiders on Monday Night Football
The AFC conference’s #1 seed, first place in the AFC West , a full game lead over second place, it’s a great day to be the Oakland Raiders. Nothing but blue skies and sunshine as far as the eye can see. Until we let the high of victory wear down, turn on the tape, and see just how fortunate the Raiders are. It’s time to tell the truth about Monday’s game.
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The Referee’s and Rulebook
For once the Raiders were bailed out by the referees and the rule book. The first gift of the game was a highly disputable play in which DJ Hayden fell down on an out route by DeAndre Hopkins and while flirting with the sidelines the play was blown dead. The end of this play saw Hopkins racing straight into the endzone. Multiple replay angles show Hopkins regaining balance and maintaining field of play eligibility, enroute to taking it to the house. Bill O’ Brien challenged the play, but was informed by rule since the play was blown dead by an official it by rule was not a challengeable play. Up until the offense started featuring the running backs, the raiders top offensive plays were a couple of pass interference calls on deep bombs to Michael Crabtree.
Then came what should be remembered as the series of the game. Chugging along down the field, on the way to take the lead in the 4th quarter with the game tied 20-20. Deep into enemy territory, the Texans were set up with 3rd down and 1. In the first of a pair of controversial spots the Raiders held the Texans to 4th and inches. On 4th down, Malcolm Smith stopped the Texans running back. On what the referees ruled, O’ Brien quickly challenged, and replay confirmed the running back short of the line to gain. Flipping the momentum of the game, and precipitating the Raiders go ahead game winning score.
The Passing Game
Houston’s pass defense #2 in the league was all it was hyped up to be, Carr was simply better. In what should support mvp consideration, going 21/31 295 yards 3 tds 1 interception. Overcoming 5 drops, including one for a touchdown, the absolute lack of a running game, and one brain fart he was sensational. With 3 passes defended, only 4 passes by Carr were off target all night. Needing only 238 yards to break 10,000 yards passing, he achieved this milestone before throwing his latest game winning touchdown pass to Cooper. I can not say enough about what the future looks like for this team with Derek Carr at the helm. Perfect he is not, but in his 3rd year in the league, at the ripe old age of 25 he plays like a 10 year vet in the pocket. His 8 4th quarter comebacks in the last two seasons tie him with only Matthew Stafford for the lead.
Amari Cooper sliced up the Texans, making a cut back that was “As cool as the other side of the pillow,” enroute to a 35 yard touchdown on an out route. He would finish the day with 4 catches for 57 yards and a touchdown. With just under half a season remaining, he has 900 yards receiving and 3 touchdowns on the year. Safe to say he’s only getting better. When it comes to anybody else in the receiving corp, it was an absolutely abysmal game.
Michael Crabtree had a game to forget, it started with not picking the proper shoes for the start of the game. He spent more time slipping and falling all over the place then he did being a factor of any kind in the first half. Then when he wasn’t falling on his face, side, and butt he was flat out dropping the football. 3 drops on the game for the normally sure handed Mr. Reliable, including a near touchdown catch. His two best plays of the day were drawing face guarding pass interference calls on a couple deep throws. As I said, this was a game to forget, and I expect him to eat on sunday against Carolina.
Seth Roberts
Seth Roberts delivered against Tampa Bay, but against the Texans he took away. Crucial drops plague him week to week, his consistency is what separates him from being just a guy to being the dynamic #3 option he can be.
The running backs were the star of the show last night. Fullback Jamize Olawale, caught 3 passes for 90 yards, with a 75 yard td. Latavius Murray caught 5 passes for 59 yards, including a 39 yarder. Jalen Richard caught 3 passes for 50 yards including a 17 yard touchdown pass. Derek Carr and the backs were a perfect 11/11 for 199 yards and 2 touchdowns
Bill Musgrave
His play design with Cooper in the backfield, and running his fullback on a wheel route was genius. It caught the Texans so completely off guard, Jamize Olawale ran past both cover guys caught the ball, ran around a defender and 75 yards to the house to tie the game. His plan to exploit the lack of coverage ability in the 2nd level of the defense proved to be the difference in the game. It also covers up a massive amount of ineffectiveness throughout most of the first 3 quarters.
The Defense on Field
Oakland’s defense spent too much time on the field. Texans possessed the ball in altitude for 36:27. The worst aspect of this group on the field, is that the linebackers are not strong in pass coverage at all and an NFL middle linebacker is an absolute must for this team moving forward. Malcolm Smith, the ex super bowl mvp, was dogged in coverage by the Texans tight end often on third down. Answering the call when needed most, and arguably making the play of the game. On 4th and inches, he made a turnover forcing tackle short of the marker giving Oakland the ball back. Bruce Irvin was a maniac, recording 10 tackles, 2 TFL, and a sack. Karl “The Hitman” Joseph, recorded ten tackles and has to be making a name for himself around the nfl for bringing the lumber. His hit on Lamar Miller to save a touchdown, was poetic. When all was lost, he materialized as if he appeared out of nowhere, laid the boom on Lamar Miller and saved the score. Khalil Mack, reintroduced himself to Brock Osweiler early, and for the 5th straight game recorded a sack (8). Rank them where you will, they gave up 366 yards on defense yesterday, which is still 27 yards less than the season average (393.6).
For the 5th straight game, an opposing quarterback hasn’t thrown for 300 yards against this Raider defense.
The Defense off the Field
The gameplan for defending the Houston Texans was not the greatest, as it allowed a woefully underachieving offense to break out and exceed it’s usual productivity. Houston’s gameplan was to matchup (6’3”) #1 Wr. against DJ Hayden (5’10”) in the slot and run a combination of in routes, drag routes, and digs. The other matchup they exploited, was tight end CJ Fiedorowicz matched up in Malcolm Smith’s zone responsibility or near it, and in man to man coverage. Converting on 3 downs, with quick hitting passes over the middle of the field, the Raiders could not get off the field. Blitzing was ineffective, and at times it seemed as if there was nothing the Raiders could do to stop it. There is too much talent on this team to be getting gashed off stretch runs and play action passes. Not being able to cover a tight end when everyone in the building knows where the ball is going is as much a coaching issue as it is a personnel issue.
The Running Game
Houston felt disrespected and slighted, and came out with the sole purpose of not getting pounded into submission like Denver did. 20 carries 30 yards, Houston’s defensive front beat the Raiders larger lineman at the point of attack and shut down the run, but were a non-factor in the passing game. This tells me the Texans sold out on defending the run, and this productivity level will be addressed and corrected in time for Carolina.
The Skinny
A lot of what if’s surround this game. Opponents poor clock management, play challenge decision making, and officiating aided the Raiders in winning this game. Derek Carr was masterful when he needed to be, and incredibly accurate with all but one throw. The defense does it ugly. It doesn’t look good at times, evokes feelings of despair, but statistically speaking they are getting better and are giving up an average of 20 points/game over the last 4 games. It is possible to be the hero of the game and the goat at the same time just ask Malcolm Smith. Most importantly, The Raiders sit at 8-2 and the #1 seed in the AFC, no matter the issues they are powering thru them.
You can follow Philip Robinson on twitter @philiprrobinson
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