FanPost

The Morning After



I like to give myself a good nights sleep before I actually analyze a game. It helps me take some of the emotion out of it. So here you go.... it's the morning after.

The Good

- Rush attack: We finally saw a more balanced offense. Ok, Ok... maybe balanced isn't the right word. We finally saw the rushing game show some sort of life. Carr and the pass catchers have been great through 3 games, but we need the ground game to continue to improve. This was a step in the right direction, albeit against a fairly bad run D.

- Carr & the Pass catchers: For so long the talk about this offense has revolved around the WR's, or the lack thereof. Now the pass catchers look like the absolute strength of the team, and Carr has had no problem spreading the ball around. Here's a fun stat, through 3 games LV has had 12 skill position players play at least 1 snap. All 12 have caught at least one pass. LV doesn't have a single WR with 250 yds, but they have 4 with at least 200 yds. Lastly, and my favorite, 3 games into the season and 3 different players have lead the team in yards. This type of variety isn't cool for fantasy, but it HAS to give defenses fits.

- The Castaways: Perryman, Heyward Jr, Solly, Zay, Barber... These guys are playing ball. Kind of has an old school Raiders feel where the leagues rejects come and revitalize their careers.

The Bad

- Rush Defense: After giving up 133yds to MIA the Raiders D ranks 22nd in rush yards against. Honestly this is a bit misleading as I don't think the rush D has been as bad as 22 makes it sound. I do believe the consistency hasn't been there. We seem to have 1 or 2 plays a game where someone either whiffs or is just out of position and we give up a long run. I guess what I'm saying is that being bottom 1/3rd in rush defense sounds like we need to rethink our rush defense altogether. But in reality I think we just need a couple guys to make small adjustments to shore it up.

- Finishing: How many times did the dline get their hands on Brissett but didn't get him down? Or a DB got their hands on a pass but didn't get the pick? That game felt like even 1 more play on defense ends that game in regulation with a comfortable win. We are going to need to finish better so we can finish games on time (and without the need for heart medication)

The UGLY

- Pass Pro: Carr was sacked 3 more times and pressured all day. Leatherwood is struggling (to put it nicely). Yes they have faced 3 teams with good dEnds, but guess what... there are a lot of teams with good dEnds. The next 3 games we get guys named Bosa, Mack, and Miller. It's time to rethink how we are protecting Carr. Lets get Leatherwood some help out there. I'm not giving up on him or calling him a bust. The speed is just too much for him right now. Lets get him some support until he can catch up.

- Situational Football: 3rd/4th & 1... maybe too much trust in the Oline? If that was the only situation that failed I would have put this under the bad category. But after MIA cut the lead to 8pts with 8mins remaining the Raiders got the ball TWICE and went 3 & out TWICE. The second time is what really lands this on the ugly list. Your defense made a huge stand on 3rd and 4th down to get you the ball at the 43. You are within 20-25yards of a Carleson chance to put the game away for good. What do you do? Run it twice for -1yds then run a play without max protect when you KNOW they will be bringing the house. 4 mins left in a 1 possession game is waaaay too early to get conservative. Carr and your pass catchers are the absolute strength of this team. Put the game in their hands.

Crazy Stat of the week...

Raider opponents have scored a touchdown every time they have made it to the redzone. That doesn't sound good (and it isn't). But that's not the crazy part. Through 3 games the opponent has made it into the redzone a total of 4 times. FOUR! For comparisson sake the Raiders have made it to the redzone 13 times in 3 games. Did a quick spot check and only found 2 teams with fewer (DEN 3, CAR 3).