Oakland Raiders Week Six: Keep/Discard

Many are left scratching their heads as the Oakland Raiders descended to the cellar of the AFC West standings with a 17-16 loss to the visiting Los Angeles Chargers this past Sunday. Even the team’s head coach.

“They ran exactly the plays we know they run,” Jack Del Rio said as he stood at the postgame podium. “Including the tight end … I mean, literally calling out the play on that. Guys responsible for it have to make the play.

“We let the back and tight end get out a little bit and in most cases, it’s something we prepared for.”

Responsibility and accountability. Two traits that seem to have disappeared in Oakland as the team fell to 2-4 overall and completed another revolution in what is becoming a downward spiral season. And another L could be on the horizon as the short week produces another AFC West tilt this Thursday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Andy Reid’s squad finally tasted defeat (against the Pittsburgh Steelers 19-16) and is no doubt seething.

Let’s talk what the Raiders should keep and discard from Week 6:

KEEP

• The shovel pass. While the lone attempt (to speedster Cordarrelle Patterson) didn’t pan out, that shouldn’t preclude Oakland from dialing it up more this season. Teams have found success with the play (surprise, the Chiefs have used the shovel pass to perfection) this season.

• TJ Carrie as a starting cornerback. Carrie was sticky in coverage and was a sure-tackler as well. Even if promising rookie Gareon Conley returns to the field, Carrie should keep his outside spot. He’s much more effective on an island than trailing in the slot.

• Throwing to Michael Crabtree. King Crab continues to produce and it’s hard to fault Derek Carr or any other quarterback looking immediately and only at No 15. He had a 23-yard score and has five touchdowns on the year.

• Shilique Calhoun’s hand in the dirt. In his first game of the season, the former third-round pick provided some much-needed push from the edge. While he didn’t hit home on any of his rush attempts, Calhoun looked far more comfortable as a defensive end than a standup linebacker.

• Giving Cordarrelle Patterson the rock. The speedy wide receiver/special teamer produced an electric touchdown on an end around. He continues to produce out of the backfield and Oakland should give him as many opportunities he can handle.

DISCARD

• The conservative gameplan. The season is already listing and sinking, there’s no need to be cute this Thursday. Oakland’s game plan needs to be ultra-aggressive and borderline insane against incoming Kansas City. That means more downfield shots and less Captain Checkdown throws.

• Passes to Marshawn Lynch. His pass-catching merits were never Beast Mode’s forte. And watching a pass clang off his hands and end up in a Charger’s hands was nightmarish. Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington (and Jamize Olawale) should be the only backs catching passes out of the backfield.

• Avoiding play action. Oakland has seemingly deemed the play action pass forbidden. With Lynch running well early, the Raiders had the chance to deploy some PA. It didn’t.

• Small mistakes. In the grand scheme of football, the long snapper should be the least of team’s concerns. Jon Condo’s high snap on the PAT resulted in kicker Giorgio Tavecchio from missing the kick. Small things lead to big disappointment.

• The big fat zero in the interception column. Oakland is the lone team in the NFL without a pick. That is an indictment on the Raiders woes in the secondary.

AROUND COVER32
Patriots regain sole possession of first in AFC East
Controversial call befuddles the Jets in loss to the Patriots

Dolphins battle back to beat the Falcons

Instant Reaction to Jets loss to the Patriots