It’s no secret that the Las Vegas Raiders offense is putting up numbers. At the midway point of the season, the Raiders currently sit at 9th in the conference standings. With a 4-4 overall record, ranking second in total points and sixth in points per game, the Raiders can be in the playoff mix, but the defense must get better fast.
Defensive coordinator Rob Leonard must find a way to evolve or open his playbook. His Raiders defense ranks 31st in points allowed, 31st in rushing yards allowed, 30th
in passing yards, 24th in passing yards per game and 30th in total yards.
Ugly stretch
Over the last five weeks of the season, the Raiders are allowing an average of 35.2 points per game. Four out of the five games they were been beaten by: the Kansas City Chiefs, the Super Bowl runner-ups New England PatriotsBecoming the 85’ Bears or the 00’ Ravens isn’t necessary or likely to happen. Getting opponents scoring down to 25 points per game will provide the proper offset to the offense’s production. Making winning much more obtainable consistently. The Buffalo Bills and the Los Angeles Rams. The good news is they were able to fly into New York and win a shootout against the Jets.
However, the defense has put some ugly football on film and in a copycat league, they have been exposed over and over again. Surrendering 822 yards rushing during that stretch and nearly 164.4 yards per game. The seven rushing touchdowns allowed aren’t horrible, considering the yardage given.
Defending the pass has been an issue at the line of scrimmage and the back end of the defense alike. In the last five games, the defense has produced eight sacks and 26 hits on the quarterback. A far cry from the Hellhounds, which started the season with 10 sacks in three games.
Turnovers are supposed to come in bunches, and they most certainly did at the beginning of the season. Since week 3, however, the Raiders defense has only produced two forced fumbles and recoveries and three interceptions.
Things to build on
It hasn’t all been bad; there are definitely things the team can hang their hats on. Raiders’ defense has amassed 18 sacks and 36 tackles for loss, 6 interceptions, and 12 forced fumbles this season. Should they be able to improve on being T-2nd in turnover margin +5, T-6th in interceptions (6), T-1st In Fumbles (12), with their 13 total takeaways being 3rd best in the league, they can offset the tremendous amount of yards being given up.
Not allowing drives to extend remains the biggest opportunity to make a difference. The Raiders are 21st in 3rd down conversion (41.7%), 20th in 4th down conversion (57.1%), 5th most in defensive penalties, 6th most in penalty yards and T-4th in first downs by penalty.
Maxx Crosby ranks 3rd in the league in pressures (26), but his 3.0 sacks this year are average. Although Malcolm Koonce and Kwity Paye also have 3.0 sacks each, their pressure production of 10 and 9, respectively, leaves more to be desired.
What needs to happen
Playing less soft zone coverage and running more twists and stunts against basic fronts will help a bunch. Simplify things for the young defensive backs; allow them to make their mistakes and learn. Resume attacking aggressively. This personnel group is much better at attacking than they are at waiting for something to happen. Good things happened when Leonard pressed issues.
Becoming the 85’ Bears or the 00’ Ravens isn’t necessary or likely to happen. Getting opponents scoring down to 25 points per game will provide the proper offset to the offense’s production. Making winning much more obtainable consistently. Lining up the Raiders to be able to capitalize on their offensive success and make a run at a wildcard berth in the second half of the season.
