One Postgame Take
Wow, what a letdown. The Lions are not a good team. That was low-hanging fruit left on the vine.
At the end of the game, when you need to stop the other team to get the ball back and give yourself a chance, you have to wrap up the runner before he gets a first down, not bounce off him with your shoulder. Come on.
We will know more soon, but it's looking like what seemed like a leap year may turn out to be one of incremental improvement. Three weeks ago, the Raiders were being hailed as relevant, a strong playoff contender at four wins, three losses.
After today, this looks like a team that is coming back down to earth, to that balance point between the god-awful spectacle of the first game to the upstart contender after beating the Jets.
I'm still bullish on our passing corps, as far as the future is concerned, and despite it being out of sync all day today. But other chickens are coming to roost in terms of overall personnel and depth.
There is work to be done. It's too early to be writing this season off and talking about next year. But the arrow is pointing down on each of our division rivals. The Broncos are making one last push until they tumble over the Manning cliff. The Chiefs are who we thought they were. The Chargers are getting creaky and Lil' Phil isn't getting any younger.
It's an opportunity that should not be missed. The table is being set for an enduring division takeover. We need to be ready to feast. Which means we need more forks and knives, Reggie.
In the meantime, let's try not to get eaten.
At the end of the game, when you need to stop the other team to get the ball back and give yourself a chance, you have to wrap up the runner before he gets a first down, not bounce off him with your shoulder. Come on.
We will know more soon, but it's looking like what seemed like a leap year may turn out to be one of incremental improvement. Three weeks ago, the Raiders were being hailed as relevant, a strong playoff contender at four wins, three losses.
After today, this looks like a team that is coming back down to earth, to that balance point between the god-awful spectacle of the first game to the upstart contender after beating the Jets.
I'm still bullish on our passing corps, as far as the future is concerned, and despite it being out of sync all day today. But other chickens are coming to roost in terms of overall personnel and depth.
There is work to be done. It's too early to be writing this season off and talking about next year. But the arrow is pointing down on each of our division rivals. The Broncos are making one last push until they tumble over the Manning cliff. The Chiefs are who we thought they were. The Chargers are getting creaky and Lil' Phil isn't getting any younger.
It's an opportunity that should not be missed. The table is being set for an enduring division takeover. We need to be ready to feast. Which means we need more forks and knives, Reggie.
In the meantime, let's try not to get eaten.
posted by Raider Take at 7:01 PM
12 Comments:
The bend but don't break defensive philosophy and huge disparity in time of possession in the first quarter may have sealed the Raiders fate early in the game.
On offense, IMO, the Raiders made a mistake bringing Hudson back too soon. The entire O-line got pushed around, and Hudson didn't look anything like the anchor that he's been for the Raiders.
In the bigger picture, ending the season .500 will be a real challenge. Raiders will need to go 4-2 in their final six.
Just ask the Chargers what happens when you abandon the running game. The Raiders collectively ran the ball 21 times, and passed 25. Murray touched the ball 13 times, Olawale 4, and Reece 2. Derek Carr ran twice as well. Collectively they ran for 50 yards. They had 84 against a terrific Vikings defense, and 195 against the Steelers. It seems the Steelers game has taken it's toll on the Offensive Line and Running Attack.
It seems like anytime the Raiders fall behind, the running game disappears. Murray and company have to do a better job at eating away yards as well. The running game since the Steelers have hurt the Raiders, and they have to get back and establish the run before Carr can gun. Up next are the Titans, and it is going to be another tough game. JUST WIN, BABY!
Nate - it's not good enough to just run the ball. You have to be smart about it. Running into the middle of a stout Lions D-line was not the best option, IMO. Also, Hudson's health has been a key factor in the Raiders' success running and pass blocking. The results are pretty obvious.
IMO, establishing the run first is way overrated. I'd rather see them immediately throw deep (a couple times if necessary). That can spread the defense and set the tone for running the ball all day long.
Historically, being predictable hurts the Raiders as much as anything else.
It takes toughness to run the ball.
It takes toughness to win on the road in Nov. & Dec.
It takes toughness to overcome mistakes.
It takes toughness to make the big play when it's needed.
It takes toughness to make the playoffs.
The Raiders lack toughness.
I am interested to what the Raiders do over the next 6 games. I think talent wise it's obvious where they are: a handful of pro bowl type players (Carr, Hudson, Cooper, Mack, Woodson) couple of above avg starters (Jackson maybe Walford down the line), the rest of the roster is avg (Ellis, Williams, Carrie, Crabtree, Malcom Smith) to awful (Hayden, Lofton, Allen) and overall a real lack of death. Having a qb in place gives some hope for the future but they need to add a couple more big time players on D and another wr.
I said stars win games period and you can see what happens when Carr or Cooper are not on, no chance of victory. The rest of the team is not good enough to make up the difference.
What is most important about the last 6 games from my perspective is to find out what we have in the coaching staff. JDR head coaching history is middling to avg. Is he still an average coach? Can he reverse this slide and coax 7 or 8 wins out of this team. Let's see. I have to wonder if a better coach could have pulled out at least one victory from the chicago, lions or pitt game? I have to lay a good amount of blame re the last three games on the coaches.
Regards
Sandy
"For all the additions to the Raiders defense this offseason, they are actually considerably worse this season than last season's 3-13 squad. They are the 29th overall defense this season and were 12th overall last season." (Levi Damien)
It's pretty obvious this defense is not as good. Not sure what to make of it.
I'm out. I want to wish you all on here (including Jones) a very Happy Thanksgiving. As we head into the rest of the season, even if it doesn't go our way, Raider Nation has a lot to be thankful for.
In my own personal life, I have a ton of things to be thankful for, and I am a blessed man. I hope and pray the same for all of you, and if it has been a year that you want to forget, I hope and pray from this day forward, it will start to look up. Hopefully, I will be here on Sunday or Monday talking about the Raiders win over Tennessee. Happy Thanksgiving all. JUST WIN, BABY!
Nate thanks for that lovely post. All the best to you and your family and everyone else here
Happy Thanksgiving
Sandy
Nate, that is awesome, thank you.
To ALL: thank you for sticking with this place and bringing your takes, we're all in this together, and I am thankful for the enduring conversation and camaraderie.
Some things are more important than Raiders football, albeit, not many.
Happy, Healthy and Safe Thanksgiving to ALL!
Raiders need to get back on track -- start fast, take an early lead, and play solid football for 4 quarters.
Raiders need a sense of urgency today. Little margin for error to finish the season at .500 or above.
GO RAIDERS!
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