Storyline: The Oakland Raiders aren’t consistently good on both sides of the ball. Going into Week 3 Oakland had the NFL’s #1 offense and the League’s worst defense. On Sunday, the D played much better, but the O really struggled.
Is it a good sign that I felt inadequately satisfied with Sunday’s Oakland Raiders 17-10 win over the Tennessee Titans? A NFL road win should never be taken for granted, but after the game I didn’t feel the normal level winning exuberance.
Courtesy: raiders.com
Yes, the Raiders are now 2-1 and their defense finally showed life. Yes, the team traveled east and had to deal with the aggressive heat, which hovered well above ninety degrees all game. Yes, Oakland found a way to win.
So why am I dissatisfied? It’s the frustration of watching this game, understanding that the Raiders need to perform better to compete in the rugged AFC West. Oakland had multiple opportunities to put the game away, but just couldn’t do it. They gave the Titans one chance after another–and that pattern almost cost them the game.
I think the offense takes most of the blame. The defense finally played well enough to win, but the offense almost let them down. The Raiders are loads better under Jack Del Rio then they were in years before, but having a complete team effort still eludes this organization.
Last year the offense was blazing for the first eight weeks as the defense struggled. When the defense finally started flexing muscle, the offense tailed off. What do we have this season? Going into Week 3 the Raiders had the #1 offense in the League, while the defense was dead last.
Courtesy: theoaklandraiders.wordpress.com
The O-line had too many penalties and the receivers dropped too many passes. The coaching staff went conservative on plays when some aggression could have closed out the game. It was an exercise in frustration to watch–to know that the Raiders had every chance to end it in the second half–especially knowing that a loss would have had devastating consequences.
However in the end it was still a W. On the positive side, the defense gained some confidence and took a step towards being average. Vets like Sean Smith and Reggie Nelson played like the free agents Reggie McKenzie thought he had signed. Rookies Karl Joseph and Cory James played well and, hopefully, will grow each week. The offense moved the ball on the ground and through the air. The Raiders are 2-1.
I need to enjoy a frustrating win because it’s much better than experiencing a depressing loss.
Game Day Observations: All of freaking dropped passes were killing me! Seth Roberts had a couple drops as did Clive Walford. Amari Cooper dropped a 4th quarter slant pass that could have iced the game. Derek Carr made some superb moves to avoid the rush only to see his receivers go all thumbs on him. How frustrating!
Last year the Raiders led the league in drops, so this is an issue that needs to be corrected. Otherwise I’ll definitely suffer a heart attack one of these Sundays.
Courtesy: zimbio.com
But since I just tore down the rest of the Raiders receiving corps, let me dole out some props to Michael Crabtree. The man has the most reliable hands on the roster, maybe the league. He snatched a huge 3rd Down 4th Quarter to drain more clock. He’s Carr’s go-to guy to move the chains. King Crab is simply a receiving beast. He ended the game with 8 receptions for 102 yards.
Khalil Mack is earning solid grades at Pro Football Focus and rarely makes huge mistakes. But, man, does this defense need a huge surge from its best player. Why? Mack has only two hits on the QB and no sacks. And he hasn’t had one of his patented stuffs on a runner in the backfield. Everyone was ready for Mack to explode this year, but he has yet to make an impact play. I’m confident he’ll breakout soon–he’s too talented not to–but, damn, tough to keep waiting.
Courtesy: withthefirstpick.com
In my weekly update on Derek Carr I continue to be impressed. He started fast on the first drive and was sharp out of the gate, which has been a struggle for him. He is using his mobility more and his accuracy on the run is much improved. At the start of 3rd Quarter he somehow maneuvered out of the collapsing pocket, ran to his right, and then heaved a 28-yard lob to an open Crabtree. It wasn’t b coaching moment, but it was a hell of an effort.
These are the things I see in Carr that make me believe he can make it to an elite level. Two years in a row now the Raiders have gone to Tennessee and gotten jobbed by the refs for most of the game–only to have a game-saving call go their way in the end. The Raiders lost a TD on a weak hold in the 2nd Quarter and then Carr was intercepted after Crabtree was hit before the ball arrived.
Two huge momentum plays went against Oakland but, in the end, it was the Titans who must have felt wronged. The game-tying TD was taken off the board with an offensive PI penalty and, eventually, the Titans lost the ball on downs. They say things always even out in the end, but I wonder how the Titan fans feel about that?
David Amerson stifles the Titans (photo silverandblackpride.com)
Player of the Game: Cornerback David Amerson wasn’t going to let the Raiders defense be ripped apart in Week 3. Amerson was having none of it every time QB Marcus Mariota threw in his direction. He batted away five passes with one deflection resulting in an interception. Mariota threw 11 passes Amerson’s way and completed only 4 for 38 yards. Amerson exemplifies the renewed effort on defense. Picked off the waiver wire last year Amerson has proven his worth and, at times, he looks like a true shutdown corner.
