Oakland played arguably their best offensive game and easily their worst defensive game. Their 28 points were the second most on the season. Their 347 yards weren’t dominant, actually the middle of the pack, but their yards per play were the best of the season. Carr was absolutely awesome. Aside from Martin’s fumble and Roberts’s dropped pass, I thought the team executed incredibly well. Meanwhile, the 461 yards surrendered were the second most on the season, the 222 rushing yards were the most, the 28 first downs were the most, and the 42 points tied for the most. This team CAN be fixed. I think the OL is gelling, we need one WR, and we need a featured back. On defense, we need a lot – DL, LB, and DB – someone at every level. We’ll get Pineiro back for next year to shore up the special teams. Thankfully, we have three picks in the first round coming.
I’m now 5-1 against the spread in Oakland games. I’d be $440 in the black if I were dropping $100 a game.
Irvin gone. Top needs: Offense: WR, RB Defense: DT, DE, LB, DB Some excellent playmakers on d available early, and I can see Oakland adding two and snatching a WR there. By the third round we could have all holes plugged.
Depending upon how this draft thing goes... Nick Bosa, EDGE Kelvin Harmon, WR Te'Von Coney, LB Let's just pause there. Bosa won something like 28% of his snaps and had a pressure every 6 snaps this season. He's going to be a beast. Harmon is averaging 100 yards a game on nearly 17 per reception. He's a good replacement for Cooper - slower (but most are) with better hands. Bosa and Coney give a dominant pass rusher and a versatile cover LB. From PFF: "In coverage, Coney has been targeted 21 times as the primary coverage defender, allowing just nine receptions for 45 yards. Most impressively, he’s allowed just 30 yards after the catch and no passes longer than 16 yards." A LB that can cover?! We could address our three biggest needs in the first round and by the end of day 2 have a plug-in at every major need (including DB in round 2).
The Chargers are a 5.5 point favorite coming into today's game. The Raiders are struggling mightily, and there are going to be some points on the board - for both teams. But, being realistic, that 5.5 is nothing, and the Raiders are likely going to lose by two touchdowns. Chargers 37 Raiders 22 Take the Chargers if you're betting. I'm hoping to keep this rolling. 5-1 vs. the spread now on Oakland games.
Bad teams find ways to lose. Same # of first downs. Better 3rd down conversion rate. Ran 10 more plays. Outrushed LA. Won TOP. Fewer penalty yards. Same turnovers. Lost by two TDs.
Raiders haven't score more than 10 points in four of their last five games. This team desperately needs some work on the offensive line, first and foremost, and they need a legit WR1. I think the offense can be fixed. The defense was actually surprisingly good. This was tied for the fewest points surrendered, and I think it was the fewest yards surrendered. Gotta win this game.