Raiders Keep/Discard: Week Four Lessons
Despite all the misery on offense, the Oakland Raiders still had an opportunity to win on Sunday. That’s how topsy-turvy the team’s 16-10 defeat at the hands of the Denver Broncos.
What should have been an insane blowout became a surprisingly tightly contested AFC West tilt. And that’s thanks to the defense.
Strange, I know. Let that marinate and we’ll move on.
A spirited defensive effort spearheaded by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack (two sacks and an almost game-altering forced fumble) kept Oakland in the game.
“You hold people to 16, you should be able to find a way to scratch off a win,” Raiders Head Coach Jack Del Rio said. “I’m a little disappointed but I understand this league. After one quarter of football with three on the road, we’re 2-2. That’s what we’ve earned. I’m not happy about it but that’s what it is.”
It is what it is. With that, let’s look at what Oakland should keep and discard from Week 4:
KEEP
Motion on offense. Moving Johnny Holton from the boundary closer to inline and having him streak with receiver next to him, the Raiders forced the safety to make a choice and the hesitation cost Denver big. Holton sprinted and caught a beauty for the 64-yard touchdown. The lone Raiders’ TD.
Swarming defense. In the end, the Raiders limited the Broncos to 5 of 16 on third-down conversions (31 percent). In total, Oakland’s D yielded 298 net yards and racked up four sacks.
Chipping away with the run. Oakland’s imposing offensive line has been anything but powerful, yet, the team gets away from the run too earlier in ball games. With Derek Carr’s uncharacteristic inaccuracy throwing, Oakland needs to return to its power Big Boy football roots.
Being aggressive. In both play calling (in all three aspects — offense, defense and special teams) and on-field play. Yes, the gamble does tend to backfire, but when it does work, it lights a fire underneath both player’s and coach’s butts.
Jamize Olawale in the ballgame. The versatile fullback can block (pass and run), carry the rock and be a sneaky weapon coming out of the backfield.
DISCARD
The stretch run. Against speedy and disciplined defenses, the Raiders stretch run play has been smashed. While Marshawn Lynch is great running the ball out of the shotgun formation, Raiders need to go back to power formations with a fullback as lead blocker in backfield.
Holding on to the ball too long. Derek Carr has supreme confidence in his arm and has the ability to go through progressions quickly in attempts to hit a deep strike. But with the offense floundering, dinking and dunking the ball to move the chains isn’t a bad idea.
AROUND COVER32
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