Official Las Vegas Raiders Thread

If I'd known you were in here, I'd have joined you last night. I stayed up to watch it. Was pleased with the result. I'll have some thoughts...

 

OFFENSE

RBs
Ingold - did good work as a receiver. He and Drake look like a first rate pass catching duo as far as RBs go. Jacobs had two nice runs, another one negated by penalty, and picked up blitzes well. Other than that, tough going for the running game. RBs combined for 16 carries, 45 yards, and 2 TDs, but they added 10 receptions, 97 yards. Not bad.

QB Play
Mariota's big run was money. Nice to see that mix. But this was mostly Carr's game. Terrible at times early. I think he was 5-17 at one point (there were two or three drops, I know), and he was missing guys all over. But he turned it on, especially late. He was amazing in the two minute drill. He tied the game once with 3:44 left, again in a 30 second drive that got them into FG range, and then he led the game winning drive in OT. Clutch.

Receivers
Waller is amazing, but he'll get his. No need to forcefeed him like they were. It made the team one-dimensional early. As we all saw, the Raiders have some surprising weapons - Edwards, Ruggs, even (wow) Zay Jones. Last year, Edwards and Ruggs combined for 37 receptions and 645 yards. In their first week, they went for 6-127. I expect them to nearly triple their production from last season.

OL
A few miscues, especially early. Leatherwood had his share of missteps - two penalties I think and allowed a sack. But overall the line did a solid job against a good defense. Gotta open up bigger holes in the run game though. Moreau wasn't targeted in the passing game, but he had a big block on Jacobs's first TD run. Miller looks to be a stud in pass blocking.


DEFENSE

Edge
I don't know if Ferrell was a healthy scratch or what, but I think that's BS. He has to play. Let's hope Ngakoue is healthy for next week. He was damn good. But Maxx Crosby played a game like no other Raider DE since Mack. Mad Maxx was simply amazing. After totaling 27 QB hits in his first 32 games, he had 5 last night. Nassib stepped up late with a big play to force a fumble, too.

DI
Hankins was battling, but I'm not sure how much impact he made. Quinton Jefferson (I think) had that big forced fumble on Jackson. Philon had a QB hit and a fumble recovery.

LB
Wright looks really good. Natural leader. Perryman got a lot of decent reps. Kwiatkoski got burned on a really tough cover - tracking that WR all the way across the field. And Littleton missed a tackle on the long TD run. But overall I thought their play was solid. Stayed at home well against a really challenging QB. Peryman and Littleton each had 10 tackles.

DB
Guys did a nice job coming up to give support in the run game and in attacking receivers across the middle. Moehrig was mostly invisible out there in his debut. Heyward did a nice job (shut out his covers, I think - no completions). Abram (possibly playing some LB) looked solid. Some nice hits, decent coverage.

SPECIALS
Some spotty punt coverage but amazing punts. Carlson was awesome. Ruggs struggled in the kick return game. Renfrow solid in punt returns.

 

IN THE TRENCHES
Let's look at how the OL and DL are doing.

OFFENSE
Leatherwood 86 snaps, 39.4 PFF, 2 penalties, 2 sacks allowed
Miller 86, 84.6, 0, 0
Simpson 86, 54.8, 0, 0
James 86, 35.6, 3, 0
Eluemunor 69, 65.4, 0, 0
Good 17, 50.6, 0, 0
Winning: Kolton Miller
Holding His Own: Eluemunor
Struggling: Leatherwood and James
Silver Lining: Incognito rides in on a white stallion

The clear leader of that offensive line is Kolton Miller, who has a shot at being a Pro Bowler this year. After that, Eluemenor and Simpson played clean games with decent results. Good was solid before injury, but his season is finished. The two least experienced guys struggled the most - no surprise. The Raiders will look for the big boost of Incognito back in the lineup ASAP.

DEFENSE
Crosby 62 snaps, 93.0 PFF, 21.0 Relentless Rating
Hankins 46, 47.1, 0.0
Jefferson 43 snaps, 55.5 PFF, 1.2 Relentless Rating
Philon 34, 68.2, 0.0
Ngakoue 33, 90.6, 6.1
Nassib 30, 81.6, 10.0
McCoy 9, 48.2, 0.0
Thomas 15, 53.9, 0.0
Winning: Crosby, Ngakoue, Nassib
Holding His Own: Philon, Jefferson, Thomas
Struggling: Hankins
Silver Lining: Hankins has been consistently in the 60s on PFF for the past few seasons.

-To have two players with a 90+ rating and another at 80+ - that's huge. And the pressure Crosby, Nassib, and Ngakoue put on Jackson was impressive. Philon played a big role, and there may be plenty more for him depending upon what happens with some of the injury questions. McCoy's season is over, and the Raiders have brought in Damion Square, someone Bradley is familiar with.

 

- Littleton had like 10 tackles.
- Abram was solid and disciplined.
- Heyward erased his side of the field.
- Wright made a crucial play on fourth and one.
- Ngakoue, Crosby could be the best tandem of edge rushers in The League.
- Nassib was clutch with that hit for a fumble.
- Sad for McCoy who flashed dominance.
- Ferrell Time? Better be...!
- Hobbs and Moehrig were nearly invisible. Meaning either they weren't making plays or just did not get the opps because of the front seven.

One down, sixteen to go. All that talk about KC, Denver and LAC? KC had Cleveland who nearly beat them. Denver had the G-Men and LAC played Washington. I don't think either were the caliber of Baltimore.

 

- Leatherwood has growing pains but he'll get through them let's hope. That motion penalty at the goal line was hard to deal with but he'll learn.
- James had me saying Rodney Hudson all night.
- Felt bad for Good who has really made something of himself.
- the time for Simpson to go out there, solidify his position and NEVER let go.

The D-Line...? Jackson had to improvise to keep them in the game. That's talent and a testament to our defense.

 

The O-Line has to be better in short time. Can't us being like the Steelers of last year where with no running game, we have to chuck the rock over fifty times. Carr and Gruden have to throw the ball to Ruggs and Edwards more. Carr wants extra seconds for the two to gain separation from their defenders. He might not get that given our O-line is a work in progress save for three spots so that's the Waller answer. I like Edwards more since he can be physical to use his big frame for 50-50 balls.

Drake will get more touches while Jacobs will be on the mend. Renfrow is Renfrow...Old Reliable. Surprised there were no targets at Moreau. That will and should come.

 

One quarter down. I'm listening to this one rather than watching it, but the O has to pick up some first downs. Lots of miscues - two blown snaps, a false start. That 3-point play obviously isn't going to be enough to win this if the D can't get off the field.

 

Raiders struggling to run the ball. 8 carries, 16 yards. That's what happens with a decimated offensive line and missing your top back, but they have to find ways to create success and open up the passing game.