Las Vegas Raiders

Oakland Raiders in Good Shape After Huge Win

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

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Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Oakland Raiders linebacker Daren Bates (56) reacts after a turnover on downs by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland Raiders’ victory over the Baltimore Ravens was a huge win for more reasons then a few. More than anything, it was a huge state-of-the-franchise win.

After 13 years of futility, the Oakland Raiders came into the 2016 season with some buzz. They drafted well the last three years and had one of their best free agent classes this past offseason. So they had all the hype, bells and whistles coming in.

They bolstered their offensive line, addressed their pass rush and the secondary of the defense. And they did it all with some pretty big names and 1st-round draft picks. But while the offense exploded, the defense was historically bad.

They gave up over 1,000 yards, 815 through the air, and 69 points in the first two games. The Raiders then held the Tennessee Titans to 17 points and 212 yards passing in Week 3. But that was the Titans—the Raiders had to deal with the 3-0 Baltimore Ravens Sunday.

The game was in Baltimore so the Raiders had a chance to prove something. It was their third road games in four and their second easter time-zone game in a row. And the Raiders showed they are in good shape, beating the Ravens 28-27 Sunday.

Turn the page to see how.

Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) celebrates his game winning touchdown catch against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium with quarterback Derek Carr (4) and running back Jalen Richard (30). Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Learning How to Win

When quarterback Derek Carr and edge rusher Khalil Mack were drafted in 2014, they had a tough assignment. It wasn’t just to come in and play well, they had to change a losing culture. These young men didn’t have the most experience but they had to lead.

That didn’t work out so well in Year 1 with a 3-13 record, suffering blowout loses. But in Year 2, they improved to 7-9 and were much more competitive. But the young Raiders hadn’t quite figured out how to put that last nail in the coffin.

They were good for thrilling you with a victory they had to snatch from the jaws of defeat. But they were also good for breaking your heart by snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Fumbles, dropped passes and incorrect routes leading to interceptions did it.

They were 5-5 in games decided by seven points or less in 2015 but so far this year, they’re 3-1. Carr said to the media about their growth in area earlier this season, “We learned how to compete last year. This year, We’re learning how to win.”

Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Oakland Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) reaches for a pass that was intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Chris Moore (10) in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Great 2016 1st-Round Pick

When the Raiders were getting torched in the first two games, 2016 1st-round pick Karl Joseph was on the bench. Then of course, things got better when he started his first game against the Titans. His statistical impact was 10 total tackles in his debut.

But his biggest impact was what you want from a 1st-round pick—he made the secondary around him better. He did a good job of communicating with them, lining them up correctly. We didn’t see the blown coverages we saw in the first two games.

But after all, that was against Marcus Mariota at quarterback, not Drew Brees or Matt Ryan. Then against the Ravens, Joseph proved his worth more against quarterback Joe Flacco. He had eight total tackles and darn-near had his first INT individually.

His aggression and physicality set the tone against the physical Ravens as well. The Raiders held Flacco to well under 300 yards until his 52-yard TD to Steve Smith. And that wasn’t given, it was earned by a future Hall of Fame receiver.

Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Kamar Aiken (11) cannot catch a pass while Oakland Raiders safety Reggie Nelson (27) hits him. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Veteran Safety Waking up

The Raiders signed free safety Reggie Nelson in free agency in hopes of tightening up the secondary. They just lost legend Charles Woodson, who manned the position the last few years. So they needed to bring someone in to replace him.

You don’t really replace a Charles Woodson but someone has to play the position. And since Nelson led the NFL with five INTs in 2015, he was a good candidate. But his stint in Raider Nation didn’t get off to a very good start at all.

In those first two games, he was just as responsible as cornerback Sean Smith was for all those deep balls. Against the Atlanta Falcons Smith took the outside position, expecting help inside but didn’t get it. Nelson attributed that to communication problems and promised to fix it.

And with Joseph in the lineup, the problems were fixed and Nelson got his first INT as a Raider. Then against the Ravens, he helped seal the victory with a hit on receiver Kamar Aiken on fourth down. Nelson looks like he’s awake and ready to play now.

Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback Sean Smith (21) intercepts a pass on a two point conversion attempt intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith, Sr. (89) in the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Veteran Cornerback Getting it Back Together

Smith’s first to games with the Oakland Raiders were the worst of his career. And the Raiders just signed him for all that money to be the team’s shut-down corner. The media had Smith shutting receivers down while David Amerson would constantly get tested.

But it was the other way around in the first two games of the season. Smith was and still is the top-rated cornerback in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus. And Smith had bombs landed on him everyday, all day, and twice on Sunday.

In Week 1, Smith lost his eye discipline so he missed his jam the line of scrimmage and got cooked. In Week 2, communication problems caused him to get burned as he didn’t get the help he expected. Then in Week 3, Smith started to resemble the player 2015.

And in Week 4, he did even more so with pass defenses on the plays they tried him deep on. He even got interception on the day but since it was a 2-point conversion it won’t go on his stats. Outside of Steve Smith’s big play, Smith and the Raiders secondary played well Sunday.

Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith, Sr. (89) breaks the tackle of Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson (29) on his way to scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Shut-Down Cornerback Material

David Amerson is having a great year and was having a great day against the Ravens Sunday. But it all got jacked up for him with the 52-yard catch and run he allowed on receiver Steve Smith. Sure, you could chalk it up to Smith being a future Hall of Famer.

But I’m going to mainly put the blame on defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. for this one. He had Amerson following Smith for a brief amount of time and it was working. But all of the sudden, Norton wants to run all these zones and that’s not Amerson’s strength.

If it was, he would still be with the Washington Redskins, possibly playing opposite Josh Norman. Tackling isn’t his strength either as Smith, who’s strong for his size push him down like he was Marshawn Lynch. Flacco was only 2-7 going at Amerson but that play does count.

Both the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons got their receivers away from Amerson to make plays. He’s the top rated cornerback by Pro Football Focus so it might be time for him to travel. The Randers could at least put him on the guys with more speed and quickness.

Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta (88) has the ball knocked away by Oakland Raiders cornerback D.J. Hayden (25) in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Cornerback Starting to Get it

Cornerback D.J. Hayden is the player showing up these days that I am most proud of. He has been widely criticized and labeled a bust for his play early in his career. But many including myself forgot what he went through a near death experience just before the Raiders drafted him.

So it took Hayden a while to learn is way around NFL and for the team to learn about him. Here in Year 4, Hayden has carved out a role as a nickel cornerback. I wondered what would happen before the game but he actually did a good job on Smith and others in the slot.

Throwing Hayden’s way, Flacco was 50 percent, a good number for the short passes thrown at slot corners. He has become a good tackler, keeping the short passes his way to minimal gains too. But it’s his quick feet and change of direction that make him a good slot cornerback.

Like the rest of the secondary outside of Amerson, Hayden started the season slow then came on Sunday. Pro Football Focus graded him at 82 out of 100 as he had a couple of passes defensed. The big one was the one he knocked away right before Nelson’s big hit to seal the game.

Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) pressured by Oakland Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack (52) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Star Edge Rusher

Another part of the Raiders giving up big passing numbers to start 2016 is there was no pass rush. Mack is a notorious slow starter to the season so we knew he would eventually get it going. But games are going by so the Raiders needed him to get going.

However, it would help if others got going as Mack has been the center of opposing team’s blocking schemes. He was also tackled and had a full Nelson put on him as I explained in Return of the Mack. But it’s easy to see those penalties would start getting called.

Once head coaches bring it out in the media, the league has to do something. So Mack started getting his calls and started putting the kind of relentless pressure on the QB we’re used to. He got a sack, five hurries and three hits, forcing Flacco to miss open targets.

What I was most impressed with by Mack Sunday was how he split the double teams. You can tell he nows when it’s coming and now treats it as a part of rushing the passer. He has his counter moves set up for when the opposing guards come into the equation now.

Nov 22, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws the ball over Oakland Raiders defensive end Mario Jr. Edwards (97) during the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Star Defensive Lineman Returning Soon

Many have already forgotten DE/DT Mario Edwards Jr., the most underrated player on the team. He is a dominant player against the run and rushing the passer but you never hear about him. Of course, won’t hear about him now as he is out with hip injury.

But the media never talked about him before because he never put up the sexy numbers. But they should when he gets back because what he does affects Mack’s production. He’s the second-best player on that front-7 but he’s most dangerous to opposing QB.

Whoever lines up closest to the QB is considered the most dangerous to him. That’s why offenses double and triple-team good interior defensive linemen on nearly every play. No center in the NFL can keep Edwards on the QB by himself.

So that guard can’t slide over to double Mack when he has his hands full with Edwards. And his interior rush will leave opposing QBs with nowhere to step up when Mack beats his man outside. I can’t wait to see what he Edwards and Aldon Smith get be back.

Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws a pass in the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Franchise Quarterback

I wasn’t going to mention anyone on the offensive side of the ball because they’ve been good all season long. Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree are among the best receiver duos in the NFL. Running back Latavius Murray, who I’ve been back and forth on, has earned more carries this year.

Then of course, you have the offensive line, who is the best in the league right now. But I have to make this one about the Raiders franchise quarterback because many doubted he was one. No, he didn’t have himself a big statistical day against a great Ravens defense.

But he did what mattered the most and that’s scoring, throwing four TDs on the day. Carr really did what mattered most on his 66-yard game-winning drive. He threw absolute dimes on that drive, especially on the 23-yard game-winning TD to Crabtree.

He leads all NFL QBs in game-winning drives since 2015 with six of them. The franchise QB’s teammates not only love him but they believe in him. When they’re down at the end of games, they don’t flinch because they know they have a chance to win.

Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) celebrates with quarterback Derek Carr (4) after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Bottom Line

For decades, the Oakland Raiders vs Pittsburgh Steelers rivalry endured as one of the biggest in sports. They played for trips to the Super Bowl and to say they were the NFL’s toughest team. Both teams historically pride themselves on being extremely physical.

But the Raiders lost their way in the early 2000s and the Baltimore Ravens took their place. The Raiders didn’t beat a physical team from 2002 all the way to 2015. And they continued that Sunday, out-hitting the Ravens while beating them.

The Raiders aren’t all the way there yet but you can see some things coming together. And you will see the value of Edwards when he comes back in a couple of weeks. The coverage is on the way to how they planned it when the Raiders made all the offseason acquisitions.

And I don’t even have to tell you what Mack’s going to do when he gets Edwards back. The Raiders will be able to win shootouts and defensive struggles. And if Carr has the ball late in the game, you know he’s going to end that drive in the end zone.

The team’s mystique and swagger are coming back!