:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69715221/1291143842.0.jpg)
We all know the defense has to take a big step forward for the Las Vegas Raiders to be a true playoff contender in 2021.
This stat serves as a strong reminder:
Top 8 teams in Successful Drive % (Drives ending in TD or FG) in 2020:
— Mike Tannenbaum (@RealTannenbaum) August 11, 2021
1) Packers - 49.7%
1) Bills - 49.4%
T3) Raiders 47.9%
T3) Titans 47.9%
T3) Chiefs 47.9%
6) Buccaneers 47.8%
7) Saints 45.5%
8) Ravens 45.3%
All top 8 made the playoffs but Las Vegas
Ouch.
For the most part, the Las Vegas offense did its part in 2020. It scored on a lot of its drives and had had quality snaps. Yet, the Las Vegas defense couldn’t reward it with continued shoddy play, especially late in games.
That trend has to change this season for the Raiders to be competitive, especially late in the season, which has been a recent issue. Of course, it’s not all on the defense. The Raiders’ offense could have scored more in the red zone as shown here:
Inside the 10 LV ran the ball on 1st down 78% of the time and were successful running it on only 8 of their 29 rush attempts (27.5%). They targeted their all world TE Darren Waller a grand total of 1 time out of 37 1st down plays inside the 10. Total incompetence https://t.co/CA9YY4liQO
— TA (@ClevTA) August 11, 2021
So, Jon Gruden’s team needs to make necessary tweaks on both sides of the ball to truly improve this season.
In other Raiders’ links:
- McCoy is fired up: According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, new Raiders’ defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is ready to make his impact felt in Las Vegas.
- Not a club you want to be part of: Raiders’ defensive end Clelin Ferrell is in danger of making some unwanted history.
- Ruggs needs more targets: Counting rookie wife receivers in the past four seasons, seven 2020 rookie receivers were in the top eight of rookie targets. Raiders’ receiver Henry Ruggs III was nowhere near the top of the list. He was targeted a meager 43 times as a rookie in 2020.
- Scout’s take: A former NFL scout was at the Raiders’ training camp recently and came away impressed.
- Turn it up: The Raiders have a brand new house band for Allegiant Stadium. This is going to be fun.
- Mask mandate: In an expected decision, the Raiders will follow Nevada’s mask mandate for indoor events during games this season.
Loading comments...