Raiders

Motley Review Week 7: Things Go Awry For Raiders

This past game left us wondering many questions about the Las Vegas Raiders and many of them are worrisome. Why is cornerback Nevin Lawson covering tight end Rob Gronkowski in the red zone? How is it possible that every time quarterback Tom Brady threw an incompletion there was a penalty? How can the Raiders register zero sacks on 45 pass attempts. Last but not least, Josh Jacobs had nowhere to run… how did that happen?

One Sentence That Summarizes Sunday’s Game

“Tom Brady was more comfortable in the pocket than he is in a pair of Uggs.”

The Raiders defense did little to make the Buccaneers quarterback sweat on Sunday. Outside of an early hit from defensive tackle Maurice Hurst, the Raiders didn’t land another pop on Brady. The signing of defensive end David Irving will hopefully spark the pass rush in the coming weeks. However, the fact that we can’t get a sack after spending quality draft picks and free-agent money on the defensive line is concerning and frustrating. Perhaps, a trade for someone like Carlos Dunlap or Ryan Kerrigan could be in order.

Name the Game

“The Brady Beating”

Brady beat the Raiders as if they stole something. He went for 369 yards and four touchdowns while making it look easy. It was almost borderline disrespectful to waste his time with the Silver and Black’s little JV defense. Many can’t stand Brady but he demonstrated today why his name won’t be forgotten any time soon.

Raiders Stat of the Game

Josh Jacobs: 1.7 yards per carry

The Bucs defensive line dominated in the run game. Of course, the Raiders offensive line spent the week in quarantine and was without right tackle Trent Brown. Then, we aren’t sure why guard Gabe Jackson was ejected. However, no one cares and it doesn’t matter. The Raiders had a shot to beat the ‘Bucs’ but the inability to run the ball was a big reason why they didn’t.

CarrFax

Quarterback Derek Carr is having a career year. He was very solid against the Buccaneers, going for 284 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Also, he recorded an 87.4 passer rating while ESPN gave him an 83.4 QBR. All solid numbers and looked the part today under a good amount of duress. He took his deep shots and moved around well. The interception wasn’t a horrible one. The ball hit Agholor’s hands, although the slow-motion replay and pictures show the defender hit him early. If Carr keeps playing like this, Raider Nation won’t complain.

Related: Raiders Don’t Have Answers For Bucs Offense In 45-20 Loss

The good news about the Raiders heading into Week 8

The schedule is easing up. The Brown’s 5-2 record doesn’t reflect how good (or not) they are and this Week 8 matchup is a must-win.

Also, Johnathan Abram should be back, pending more negative COVID-19 tests and Trent Brown could be back after testing negative this week.

And now the bad news

There is no hope for this defense, none.

Random Thoughts about the Raiders and last Week’s game

  • Wide receiver Nelson Agholor was the Raiders’ best free-agent signing this offseason and it’s not close.
  • Lamarcus Joyner and Nevin Lawson are on the wrong end of a lot of highlights.
  • Devin White had three sacks today, he was taken one pick after Clelin Ferrell.
  • Speaking of Ferrell, he’s contributing in the run game.
  • I don’t recommend drafting a run defending defensive end number fourth overall.
  • Three targets isn’t enough for a wide receiver you drafted in the first round.
  • Head coach Jon Gruden has to quit coaching like the team has a competent defense.
    • Fourth and 1, down by seven with 12:43 to go, Gruden settled for the field goal.
    • The game was never a one-possession game again.
  • This game was closer than the score, the Raiders can play with the best.

Apology of the Week

Dear Carl Nassib,

I’m sorry you had to miss today’s game…..oh, you played? I didn’t notice. Congrats on the contract, your agent must be a magician.

Please do something,

Holden

One Prediction for Next Week

Full back Alec Ingold scores a touchdown, it seems inevitable.

Go Raiders.

You May Also Like: How Did Raiders’ Running Game Do Against Bucs Defense?

Top Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

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2 thoughts on “Motley Review Week 7: Things Go Awry For Raiders”

  1. What in the hell? Obi Melifonwu was supposed to be the answer to these Tight End Coverage problems during the Del Rio regime! This problem is recurrent. Yes, Nelson Agholor had some drops. Yes there were the usual odd penalty. But….Damn! Carr is playing well. Most of the Offense is playing well, with just a few inconsistencies. Mr. Mayfield, can you help me out? This 44 year Raider fan is frustrated.

    We bring Rod Marinelli over from Dallas. With Nassib, Collins, and Jeff Heath. I know we have some injuries. But the Offensive line, grievously undermanned, held up. It seems we have (other than Navarro Bowman and kind of Marshawn Lynch) a problem with other teams “good players” Have they lost a step? Do we, the Raiders Defensive Coaches misemploy them. We have Littleton to help with hmm…Tight End coverage. Where is he? Where is LaMarcus Joyner most of most games?

    This is strange. We need to play complimentary football. Is Guenther incapable of adjusting? Nevin Lawson is okay. He makes mistakes. Erik Harris is playing worse than last year. Kwiatkoski seems to be playing mediocre. Mullen is pretty good, but he can’t do it alone.

    The offense can’t be hot every game. The Raiders must be capable of causing turnovers and resting the offense. I hope somebody has some thoughts, opinions, answers. This gets frustrating. Especially after seeing improvement, or what I perceived as improvement against the Chiefs.

  2. Maybe we should have kept Brentson Buckner as the DL Coach. Marinelli has made the unit take 2 steps back! Ugh!

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