Storyline: The defense dominated in the first half. Mack was a beast. The offense? Let’s consider that a kink to be worked out. I’ll be a preseason optimist. Hope reigns eternal until Week 1.
Courtesy: espn.go.com
There was a definite Ying & Yang feel to the Oakland Raiders performance against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday night.
The Raider’s starters looked primed for the regular season on one side of the ball. But the other side looked out of sync and a step slow.The first half of play was encouraging. The second half was pretty much a train wreck.
Let’s start with the good news. The defense, particularly the Front Seven, was straight balling in the first half. Arizona QB Carson Palmer was under siege right from the start. The Raider’s D-line consistently broke down the pocket and hurried Palmer into two first half interceptions, both made by Free Agent pick up, Nate Allen.
Khalil Mack was a man amongst boys Sunday night. He’s going to be something to watch this year! Mack abused former Raider, Jared Veldheer. Then he did the same thing to the rest of the Cardinals’ O-linemen. Every time Palmer dropped back to pass Mack seemed to be right there. The rest of the defense seemed to follow Mack’s lead. Black jerseys were swarming to the ball!
Courtesy: AP Photo/Tony Avelar via news.yahoo.com
While Mack put on a blistering performance, his fellow 2nd-Year teammate, Derek Carr, had a less than stellar outing. Carr wasn’t horrible, but his timing and accuracy were badly lacking. He moved the offense between the 20s, but fizzled in the Red Zone three times in the first half and didn’t connect with WRs Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree on possible TD passes in the 2nd Quarter.
It is way too soon to hit the panic buttons on Carr, but this game showed he still has a long way to go. The lack of timing with the starting WRs is concerning, but it takes time for a QB and WRs to build chemistry. Call it a “work in progress.”
The second half started off well with Carr leading the offense into the Red Zone. Then the wheels came off. Carr looked to hit a WR screen, but then he pump faked, rolled to the left, and inexplicably threw right into the Cardinals’ lucky hands. The defender streaked down the left sideline for an easy Pick Six. That one play turned the tables on the Raiders–a 15-3 halftime lead flipped into a 30-23 Cardinals win.
Since it’s preseason I’ll be the optimist. Let’s enjoy the first half with the dominating Raiders defense. How long has it been since the Raiders’ defense has been called that? I’m thinking back to 1990 when Howie Long and Greg Townsend were still crushing QBs.
And let’s call “all the rest” as kinks needing to be worked out before the regular season. Hope reigns eternal until Week 1. If Carr is still struggling? Then we can all panic.
Game Observations
It sure was a disappointing display in the running game by the Raiders’ O-line. It seemed every back that touched the ball was getting smacked in the backfield. Latavius Murray had seven carries, but for 1 freaking yard! It was a definite flash back to the beginning of last year. Please get those Big Boys going this week, O-Line Coach, Mike Tice!
Courtesy: raiders.com
Denico Autry, who started for injured DE Justin Tuck, really impressed. He must have batted down three balls and was a big part of the Raiders first half onslaught. Mario Edwards Jr. and Benson Mayowa had big games again. This D-line has been the highlight of the preseason for me.
Did anyone else have this flashback? Carr’s Pick Six brought back memories of Jeff George against the Chiefs on Monday Night in 1997. George shoveled a horrible screen pass right to a Chiefs defender for a Pick Six that led to a KC comeback. It was a horrid Raiders loss! These losses/bad plays never leave the memory bank of Raider Nation.
T.J. Carrie on punt returns …. Taiwan Jones on kick returns. I’m assuming Jack Del Rio and Brad Seeley (Special Teams coach) read my article last week.
Even though the running game was atrocious, it was nice to get Roy Helu Jr. back on the fold. He’ll be a good addition as the 3rd Down back and when the Raiders go to the No-huddle offense.
Player of the Game
Courtesy: Raiders.com
There’s no other choice here but Khalil Mack. It’s absolutely scary how good Mack is and could be this year. I have a feeling he’s going to be a candidate for Player of the Game each and every week.
Be afraid AFC … “Fear the Mack” … be very afraid.
