Here at the Raider Ramble, we continue to provide critical game notes for each Oakland Raiders game throughout the season. This week on the Ramble we take a look at the contest against the Dever Broncos, the Raiders first division opponent of the season. The Raiders hold a commanding lead in the historical record of this heated rivalry 62-51-2.
A Closer Eye: Week 4 Raiders vs. Broncos
OFFENSEÂ
Oakland’s entire offense unit took a huge step back last week against the Washington Redskins on Sunday Night Football. The Raiders were 0-11 on 3rd down conversions and only generated 128 total yards against the unbending Redskins defense per NFL.com.
Quarterback Derek Carr had a rough outing in which he was sacked four times and threw two interceptions, and only one touchdown in one of his worst performances as a Raider. Marshawn Lynch did not fare any better on the ground with six attempts for only 18 yards and as a team only rushed for 32 yards.
Once again in this game, offensive coordinator Todd Downing had a chance after a fumble was recovered on the 4-yard line to feed “Beast Mode” in the red zone but decided instead to pass three straight times. It almost looked as if the Redskins had a copy of Downing’s playbook. Let’s hope they can right the ship this week against the Broncos which is no easy task itself. The Broncos stingy defense is the best has faced yet this season. Statistically, they are ranked 4th overall in total
Let’s hope they can right the ship this week against the Broncos which is no easy task as it stands. The Broncos stingy defense is the best Oakland will have faced this season. Statistically, Denver ranks in as fourth in total defense, first against the run only giving up 59.7 yards per game on the ground and tenth in passing giving up 203.3 yards in each contest so far this season. The trio in the Denver secondary, dubbed ‘The No Fly Zone’ features, Aqib Talib, Chris Harris Jr., and Bradley Roby. They are some of the best in the NFL and are going to be a test that Carr will hopefully pass and with Crabtree likely out of the game, it could be a major problem for Amari Cooper and the Raiders offense.
NEWHOUSE VS. MILLERÂ
The newest member to the Raiders offensive line, Marshall Newhouse, has played fairly well this year for Oakland. Against the Redskins Newhouse had his worst showing as a Raider, as he gave up two sacks. This week he has his biggest test yet as he is going against arguably the best pass rusher in the NFL in Von Miller next to the Raiders’ Khalil Mack of course. Miller, however, already has three sacks and 12 tackles this season. It could quickly become the Mack and Miller show on Sunday as both are top rated pass rushers in the NFL today. If Newhouse can’t stop Miller, he is well capable of being a game changer and could give Carr fits all game long.
DEFENSEÂ
While the Oakland defense did outplay the offense against the Redskins, they did have a bit of a letdown themselves. The defense gave up 472 yards of total offense; 356 passing and 116 rushing in their worst game this season. Redskins running back Chris Thompson victimized the Raiders defense which up until that point looked improved over the first two games of the season for six receptions going for 150 yards and was mostly uncovered and invisible until it was too late.
On one of the drives, the Raiders had the Redskins on a 3rd and 19 only to leave Thompson uncovered for a gain of 74 yards, something that should never happen to any defense, let alone one that trying to make the playoffs this year.
On another series, Sean Smith was fooled by an aging Vernon Davis for a touchdown, and on another play, David Amerson was beaten in the end zone by second-year player Josh Doctson for a 52-yard touchdown.
Hopefully, they can correct their mistakes this week against the Broncos, or it is going to be another long day at Mile High Stadium come Sunday. The Broncos offense is surprisingly ranked tenth in total offense with 355 yards a game, third in rushing with an average of 143 yards per contest and twentieth in passing averaging 212 yards a game and eighth in points with an average of 27 points per game.
Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian has been good so far this season throwing for over 700 yards with 6 TD’s and 4 Int’s, but it’s running back C.J. Anderson and the vaunted Broncos rushing attack that could prove to be the problem for the Raiders that also boasts the likes of Jamal Charles serving as a change of pace back. Charles is a player the Raiders know all too well and always has been a thorn in the Raiders side when he was the Chiefs star running back.
Dominant performance from the @Redskins on offense AND defense.
FULL Game Highlights from their 27-10 #SNF win! #OAKvsWAS #HTTR https://t.co/2FpXLDfiU0
— NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2017