Following a 1-4 start headed into the bye week, Raider Nation is frustrated. It appears the team is frustrated as well. Following the conclusion of the game in Kansas City, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams shoved and knocked down a camera man. Everybody saw it. It was wrong, but does it warrant a lengthy suspension? However, it’s a good metaphor for how the team is probably feeling right now. Nonetheless, there are some major positives to come out of the Monday night game, including Derek Carr’s performance.
The Raiders are in last place in the AFC West. Seeing the light in that darkness is easy to overlook. However, the light is there. The pass rush finally started to show its highly touted self against the Chiefs. Maxx Crosby is a stud, and Chandler Jones finally had a noticeable impact. Furthermore, Carr is seriously starting to click in Josh McDaniels’ offense. And following the bye, the Raiders’ schedule significantly eases up. With games against the Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, and Seattle Seahawks, the Raiders can begin to dig themselves out of this hole. Furthermore, if they play those games in the same manner they played against the Chiefs, they should. And that starts with the pass rush and DC4.
Has The Raiders’ Pass Rush Arrived?
Maxx Crosby is tied for the NFL lead w/ 6 sacks and #Raiders still are tied for 3rd fewest as team w/ 8. The lowest a team w/ sack leader has ranked in sacks was the 2005 Raiders who were tied for 18th despite Derrick Burgess leading NFL in sacks with 16
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) October 14, 2022
Crosby has arguably had the hottest start to the season of any edge player in football. According to Josh Dubow of the Associated Press, he’s tied for the league lead with six sacks. He also leads the league with 11 tackles for loss, which is four more than the next closest. One could argue that Crosby is the front runner for the Defensive Player of the Year award through five weeks of the year. To match that, Chandler Jones has finally showed up. Jones has yet to notch a sack, but his presence was felt by Patrick Mahomes all game long on Monday. With Crosby continuing to dominate, and Jones starting to heat up, that will assist in the abysmal pass defense the Raiders currently have shown as well. One helps the other, and with how much money the Raiders have put into the pass rush, it’s a good sign for the rest of the season.
Derek Carr Is Finding His Groove
The first three games for Derek Carr were rough. It was clear that he was uneasy with McDaniels’ new offense. However, in his two most recent outings, his command of the offense has started to show. The bombs to Adams against the Chiefs were beautiful and went against the popular narrative that he is a “checkdown king.” Furthermore, Carr was checking at the line constantly against the Chiefs. That’s not something that happens without a high comfort level. No. 4 is touted as an incredibly smart player. And with an extra week to get his feet under him even more, Raider Nation should continue to expect him to improve.
So yes, the Raiders are 1-4. But that is five games out of a 17-game season. And the Raiders are heading in the right direction. Playing a Super Bowl favorite down to the last minute in their own house should be a positive sign. With that said, this offense should be able to put up 32 points against Denver’s defense. Personally speaking, I expect the Raiders to bounce back following the bye. And if they do, the goals they set for themselves should still be within their reach.
*Top Photo: Budda Mendes/Getty Images