Las Vegas Raiders
Oakland Raiders Could Still Have Championship D
Las Vegas Raiders

Oakland Raiders Could Still Have Championship D

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

November 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) strips the football from Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the fourth quarter at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Panthers 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The perception of the Oakland Raiders is they can’t go too far with their defense. But there are reasons to believe they can have a championship defense.

The Oakland Raiders defense got off to a horrific start but started to improve this season. A good portion of the media even started to take notice of the improvement and take them seriously. But after they gave up two bombs for TDs in their last game, that’s no longer the case.

The Raiders defense is now looked at in the same way it was during their bad start. Quarterback Derek Carr is deservedly universally recognized as an NFL MVP candidate. But the general perception is the defense will be the undoing of the Raiders.

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The Raiders are already 9-2 now so they will likely go to the playoffs at the end of this season. But no one sees any way they could survive very long there because of that defense. But this writer does not agree with that sentiment.

There are a few details that factor in that most of the media is missing. The Raiders can and will play much better on defense because those details won’t be factors much longer. Raiders defense has already tremendously improved and could become a championship defense.

Turn the page for the how and why.

Nov 8, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is injured as he is sacked by Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith (99) during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Pass Rush

We all know that OLB/DE Khalil Mack is arguably the best edge rusher in the game. He had a slow start but has eight sacks in his last six games because he figured out how to beat triple teams. But it takes more than one great edge rusher to have a great pass rush.

A great pass rush has two great edge rushers and at least one stud anterior pass rusher. The Raiders haven’t had that all season with Mario Edwards Jr.’s injury and Aldon Smith’s suspension. Edwards posted a video of himself doing drills on Instagram Thursday.

So we should see him taking double teams and not allowing quarterbacks to step up in the pocket soon. Last year, Mack went on his tear soon after Edwards was inserted into the starting lineup. Interior pass rushers usually set things up for the edge rushers.

Smith also takes attention away from Mack because you can’t slide the protection away from him. He also chases quarterbacks right into Mack at times for easy sacks. Smith and Edwards are a big part of why Mack had five sacks against the Denver Broncos last year.

Oct 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Jacquizz Rodgers (32) runs with the ball as Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Perry Riley (54) defends during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Oakland Raiders defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Run Defense

Smith sets a hard edge and Edwards Jr. plays the run well from the anterior as well. That also puts Mack back at SAM, where he destroys tight ends and is impossible to run on. The Raiders have already improved on allowing 135 rushing yards per in their first four games.

Then in Week 5, Raiders had an injury too many at the inside linebacker position. So they signed Perry Riley and he made an impact against the San Diego Chargers three days later. Then he inexplicably didn’t start the next week against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs then went on to rush for 183 yards and beat the Raiders 26-10. Riley pulled his hamstring in Week 11 against the Houston Texans and their running game got going right after. The run defense is clearly better when Riley is in the lineup.

In games that Riley has started and finished, the Raiders have given up only 78 yards per game. He didn’t play against the Panthers Sunday but he’s practicing on should be back. When he’s back with Smith, Edwards and Mack back at SAM, the run defense will improve more.

Nov 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) catches a touchdown pass against the defense of Oakland Raiders cornerback Sean Smith (21) during the second half at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Pass  Coverage

When Riley first came to the Raiders, opposing tight ends didn’t kill them as much. But since he’s out, they have started killing the Raiders again. A couple of bombs for TDs in the Panthers game has everyone of the beginning of the season too.

The a 44-yarder Sean Smith gave up was reminiscent but he’s not playing like that anymore. He’s the No. 7-ranked CB in the NFL by Pro Football Focus now and shut Kelvin Benjamin down until then. point.  Smith was right there and even got a hand on that ball on that play.

On the other side, an injury to David Amerson forced D.J. Hayden, to cover the No. 2 receiver. Hayden covered speedster Ted Ginn Jr. well but T.J. Carrie isn’t fast enough for that. So with Carrie on him, Ginn caught an 88-yard bomb for a TD.

Amerson is practicing and good to go going forward so the cornerbacks will be okay. In the first five games, the Raiders pass defense was horrible, allowing 332 passing yards per game. But in the last six, they’ve tightened it up, allowing 230 yards per game.

Nov 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) strips Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) of the ball in the final minute during a NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Panthers 45-42. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Khalil Mack

The Key to the improvements in the Raiders’ pass defense is Mack starting to figure it out. Many called Mack a slow starter but last year as a rookie, he was just figuring things out. This year, he had to figure out how to beat the triple teams sent his way.

Edwards and Smith have yet to play a down this season so opposing teams can afford to triple team Mack. But at the end of the game, Mack showed that he figured out how to beat it. Of course, it all starts with reading it or knowing it’s coming.

He started with speed to the outside and as soon as the back showed up the took it inside slightly. Then he put a quick move on the tackle and the guard got there too late. After his slow start, that was Mack’s eighth sack in the last six games.

He’s bringing constant pressure so it’s no coincidence that the pass defense improved with Mack’s sack totals. Since Mack got going, the Raiders are allowing 100-less passing yards per game. When a defensive superstar is playing well, it lifts the whole unit.

November 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) grabs the football on a fumble by Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1, not pictured) during the fourth quarter at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Panthers 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Clutch Defense

Superstar quarterback Derek Carr lights it up to keep the Raiders in games and he’s clutch. His 10 fourth-quarter comebacks and game-winning drives since 2014 are the most of any quarterback. The five he has this year are among the league’s leaders.

In order for all of Carr’s late heroics to hold up, the defense has to come through. And Mack just came through for Carr with the fumble that he forced and recovered himself to win a game. But Mack hasn’t been by himself, the whole defense has been clutch.

The Raiders have faced nine drives in last five minutes of regulation or overtime leading by eight or less points. They allowed no points, forced four punts, one fumble and a missed field goal. They also forced three turnovers on downs in the clutch.

So you can say what you want about the numbers to date but you can see they come through in the clutch. I’d take a clutch defense that consistently gets timely stops over a Top-10 unit any day. The Al Davis mantra is “Just win baby” and that’s all you need to do.

Nov 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) celebrates after scoring a touchdown on an interception against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Bottom Line

When a team with an okay record gets hot and makes the playoffs, we consider them a dangerous team. We don’t look at the sorry teams they lost to back in Week 5 because they are different now. And of course, we all know that defense wins championships.

It’s too late for Raiders to have a great statistical defense, the beginning of the season ruined that. But if the Raiders go into the playoffs with a hot defense, it can become a championship defense. They are already much better than what most of the media thinks.

Most of the media will tell you they don’t trust a defense that’s ranked No. 29 in the NFL. But what they’re not factoring in is that the Raiders have the No. 10-ranked defense over the last six games. That’s when Mack started the tear that he’s been on.

The Raiders are 9-2 for a reason and it’s not 100 percent Carr. That defense has been good lately and they have played well in the clutch, holding the lead late in games. Getting everyone back healthy and off suspension, the defense can go into the playoffs clicking.

Hence, they become a championship defense.

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