The Las Vegas Raiders face a stiff challenge on Sunday as the Buffalo Bills come into Allegiant Stadium for a Week 6 matchup. After being completely dominated by the New England Patriots, few expect them to rise to the challenge and overcome. However, it is not impossible but getting back to what was successful is imperative.
Run defense that works
When the defense and especially the defensive line, is playing their best football, it is with a nose tackle and two 5-techs. Lately, the defensive line trio
of Folorunso Fatukasi, Adam Butler, and Tonka Hemingway has been coming alive. None of the aforementioned players are 3-techs, which means that whenever the alignment is in a 4-man front, problems ensue. Furthrmore, Hemingway being in concussion protocol and not practicing doesn’t bode well for the front either.
Fatukasi is the unsung hero of the defense; he has been since he first took the field in the preseason. When aligned as the nose, his push on the center completely disrupts nearly every run or pass play. Against the reigning rushing champion James Cook and Josh Allen, surrendering yards due to alignment is a luxury the Raiders defense can’t afford.
Allowing linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker to position themselves where they feel most comfortable. They can plug holes faster, blitz more successfully and flow sideline to sideline more freely. Against the Bills, they need to cover the flats as well as the areas in between the hashes and numbers. Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox will be problems for the Raiders.
Watch and learn from film
Defensive coordinator Rob Leonard had a great opening three-game set to the season. However, the play-callers have increasing levels of experience with each opponent; he has put tendencies on film and gotten exposed. What’s worse is that Leonard has become so down-and-distance predictable that offensive coordinators are able to anticipate his blitzes and take advantage of them.
Cover-zero (man coverage with no safety help), typically used when blitzing, is getting his corners eaten alive. Rub routes from twins and bunch formations are generating early wins for opposing wide receivers in short-yardage situations. High-low criss-crossing route combinations are hitting for explosive plays and in-breaking routes from the tight ends are keeping the chains moving in the intermediate.
Eric Stokes got paid in the offseason and is struggling. Whether wide receivers are running away from him towards the middle of the field, or cooking his 8-yard cushions he hasn’t been the same. Darian Porter was an opening day starter until he got hurt. When Hezekiah Masses’ struggles got too pronounced, Porter got on the field and proved why he deserves his job back. Taron Johnson gets beat early on short routes and is usually outmanned by the player he’s covering.
Masses has been susceptible to the double move and have been getting beat in man coverage. Treydan Stukes is fighting for his life against tight ends and is placed in some damned if you do, damned if you don’t positions. Whether he takes the crosser in front of him or the one behind him, he keeps getting stung. The truth is, Leonard is scheming around a very young secondary. While they have proven to be playmakers when opportunity knocks, inexperience is beginning to poke through.
Show them something new
Leonard is creative and has excellent play designs. What is needed is to get back to the drawing board and put together something no one has seen yet. Zone blitzes and simulated pressures, mixed with some variations to his double-mug looks can help get the pass rush home. Maybe even activating the blitz from the third level.
Whatever he does, it must devise a way to attack while saving a defender to spy on Allen. Primarily, to keep him from running all over the place and being the playmaker that Allen is. Leonard must also continue to develop his young defensive backfield. Coach his guys up and realize they all have to learn on the fly and don’t lose hope or patience with them.
Focusing on details and practicing the time-honored tradition of tackling are things that can help the Raiders hold the Bills offense down. Offering them their best chance to do the unthinkable and pull out the win on Sunday.
