Las Vegas Raiders

Week 8 Notes and Observations: Oakland Raiders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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

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Miscellaneous scouting notes and observations following the Oakland Raiders’ Week 8 road victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

After opening a two-week trip to the Sunshine State with a win over the (hapless) Jacksonville Jaguars, the Oakland Raiders hung out in Florida for a week, bringing a 5-2 record south to Tampa Bay. In the second leg of the Florida road trip, the Raiders squared off with the Buccaneers.

Despite a record-setting number of penalties, Jack Del Rio’s squad completed the Florida sweep, with the fifth road victory in five long distance road contests. The Raiders won yet another overtime nail-biter, squeaking out a 30-24 victory as Derek Carr tossed for over 500 yards and 4 TDs.

The 5-0 road record to start the season is easily the biggest metric that places the Raiders knee-deep in the playoff discussion at the team’s halfway point.

Despite the overtime game, the Raiders dominated the on-field production. Oakland’s flags kept the Bucs in the game, as the Raiders piled up an insane 626 yards of offense compared to just 270 for Tampa Bay. Strangely, it was a game that both should have been dominated by the Raiders (see net-yard differential), but also that the Raiders should have lost (200+ penalty yards, 2 missed potential game-winning field goals).

With a 5-0 road record in 2016, the Raiders head back home to Oakland with a 6-2 record for a pivotal match up with AFC West Co-Leader, the Denver Broncos. The game Sunday will be NBC’s Sunday Night broadcast — a major opportunity for the Raiders to make a statement in the grown man battle that is the AFC West.

Here are various notes and observations from the final game of the Florida Road Trip, including all areas of the game — offense, defense, and special teams.

Oct 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) congratulate each other after they scored a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 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

Derek Freakin’ Carr and Co. – Offense

1. The Most Important Position in Pro Sports

Derek Carr has made a habit of putting up good games in 2016. This game took it further into the zone of GREAT. Carr was absolutely magnificent leading the Raiders to victory.

Carr outplayed Jameis Winston in the head-to-head match of young franchise signal callers. Carr outperformed everyone on the field on this day.

While Carr did take two sacks and lost a key fumble, he rallied the team from start to finish. His final pitch to Seth Roberts produced a rare “walk-off” NFL sudden death win. Carr was simply on-point all game.

Carr completed a ridiculous 40 of 59 passes for a franchise-record (that’s right) 513 yards passing and the 4 TDs, including the game winner. He averaged a strong 8.7 yards per pass attempt, and overall just showed wizardry that has started to have pundits talk potential MVP.

While MVP is the furthest thing to be focusing on now, it is a simple fact that Carr is playing at a high level. He faces a MAJOR test in the top-ranked Denver pass D this coming Sunday.

2. Passing Targets

The pair of WRs, Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper, are an established strength of this team. While the two have commonly traded off big weeks, this time they both went over 100 yards.

Cooper again led all Raiders WRs with 90 snaps played (out of a crazy 94 offensive snaps on the day), and also led the team with 12 catches for 173 yards. He added a TD on a beautiful corner route. OC Bill Musgrave was on top of his game and Cooper made everyone on the offensive side look smart and skilled. The youngster can REALLY play.

Crabtree played 72 snaps and put up a workman-like 8 catches for 108 yards. Crabtree is a prototype chain-mover.

Seth Roberts played the hero with the walk-off TD catch and run. He lined up for 63 snaps, typically in his slot role. Roberts is an unsung blocker, but also added quality production through the air, with 3 catches for 69 yards and the game-winner.

TE Clive Walford was effective with 3 catches for 31 yards in 59 snaps, while Mychal Rivera actually topped him in production with 3 catches for 36 yards and a TD in just 21 snaps. It was a nice day from the TE duo. Against Denver, getting the TEs involved in the passing game will be a big key.

3. The Backfield

The run game was secondary to the aerial assault but the team still put up a solid 128 yards on the ground.

Lead back Latavius Murray logged 36 snaps and paced the team with 48 yards on 11 carries. He also added 5 catches for 23 yards as well as offering his usual pass-blocking acumen.

Rookie DeAndre Washington saw a good workload, playing 28 offensive snaps and carrying the ball 5 times for 32 yards.

Fellow rookie Jalen Richard played 17 offensive snaps and carried the ball 5 times for 32 yards. Fullback Jamize Olawale played 24 offensive snaps and had a huge 68-yard pass reception on a wheel route from the backfield.

Overall, the Raiders RB corps was very effective in helping the offense to a 600+ yard effort and the win.

4. The Offensive Line

For the third week straight, Austin Howard held down the RT position. The renewed stability at that spot has been a major plus.

Howard, LG Kelechi Osemele, LT Donald Penn, C Rodney Hudson, and RG Gabe Jackson each played all 94 snaps. It was an ironman performance from the big dogs up front.

When you put up 626 yards of offense, every member of the OL gets an “A” on the day. This group sets the tone both in the run game and when protecting Carr. They are fun to watch when they are rolling.

The team will have a major test vs. the Broncos vaunted defense Sunday night. It will be a battle of strength vs. strength in primetime.

Oct 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive back D.J. Hayden (25) breaks up a pass to Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) in the second half at Raymond James Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Buccaneers 30-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

More Signs of Improvement – Defense

1. Return of the Mack

Edge star Khalil Mack played 57 of 70 defensive snaps and got to Winston for two sacks to up his total to five on the year. Mack had seven total tackles on the day and also forced a fumble. It was the type of performance we love from Mack.

Bruce Irvin played opposite Mack for 56 snaps and was active, securing four tackles.

The Raiders consistently pressured Winston. Aside from the two Mack sacks, there was tons of pressure and Winston was harried, throwing for just 180 yards on 32 attempts.

The defensive interior was led by Denico Autry (48 snaps) and ascending rookie Jihad Ward (44).

The potential return of Mario Edwards Jr. from his preseason hip injury continues to get closer, while Aldon Smith has applied for reinstatement from the league. The defensive front could be seeing reinforcements soon.

Last year, the Raiders took a game from the Broncos in Denver behind a monster performance from Mack. Can history repeat, this time in Oakland? We will see on Sunday.

2. Secondary Depth is Key

The Raiders DB corps easily had their best game, with the 180 yards through the air being a major success, especially in an OT contest.

The story in the secondary was the early loss of veteran CB Sean Smith to a shoulder injury. Smith broke up a pass on the play and landed awkwardly. Smith only played two snaps with the injury forcing him out. In his place, T.J. Carrie played admirably, running for 41 snaps, easily his high on the year. D.J. Hayden also saw his snap count jump to a season-high 69. The two young CBs with tenure showed their ability and proved the depth of the Raiders’ DB corps is a value.

Veteran FS Reggie Nelson played all 70 snaps, while CB David Amerson played 69.

The Bucs’ impact WR Mike Evans was held to just 4 catches on 50 yards on 11 targets, despite the absence of Smith, whose height matches up well with the mammoth Evans.

Rookie SS Karl Joseph played 67 snaps and continues to lay wood. He was called for a big unnecessary roughness call on a 3rd & long that extended a Tampa Bay drive. He needs to walk the balance between not dialing back his hitting, but knowing when to pull up. Joseph tied Mack in the team lead with 7 tackles in the contest.

Overall, it was easily the best game of the year from the Raiders’ DB corps despite the loss of Smith in the first series. The Raiders should be focused on shutting down a mediocre Denver passing attack next Sunday.

3. Inside Backers

Veterans Malcolm Smith and Perry Riley took most of the ILB snaps (70 and 67, respectively) as rookie Cory James saw just four defensive snaps. Smith and Riley seem to be pretty entrenched at this point.

However, Smith has been turning into a penalty machine and also getting beat consistently in coverage. It will be interesting to see if James can push Smith on the back half of the year or if the veterans will hold out absent an injury.

The ILBs will need to be ready for a downhill zone run game next Sunday against Gary Kubiak’s Broncos. Broncos starting RB C.J. Anderson is out with a knee injury, so rookie Devontae Booker will be the primary back in the upcoming matchup.

Oct 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski (11) kicks a field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Not So Special – Special Teams

1. Seabass’s Rough Day

Sebastian Janikowski has been money this season, but was not on this day, as he almost lost the game. Janikowski bricked a FG at the end of regulation that forced OT and he also missed a FG on the opening drive of OT, which would have been a game-winner if the Raiders held TB scoreless in their possession.

These misses were from some distance, but still well within Jano’s wheelhouse. The team is fortunate they did not lose with two missed game-winners.

2. Punt Game

Marquette King has been a Pro Bowl caliber punter this year and had another solid, if unspectacular day, averaging 40 yards on 6 punts. Tampa Bay did get two good punt returns, but one was on a booming 67-yard punt, so overall it was a fine day from the punt game.

3. Return Game

Jalen Richard has taken over as the core return man in both punts and kickoffs. Richard had one kick return for 25 yards and 4 punt returns for 33 yards. With his wiggle and burst, Richard makes complete sense as the return man and is a weapon.

Overall, the Raiders’ special teams almost lost them the game through missed kicks. The FG unit will need to clean up the misses, but otherwise, the special teams were fine. They will need to play at a high level to get the win vs. the Broncos.

Oakland Raiders Week 8 Conclusion

Despite a mountain of penalties, two missed field goals, and some odd clock management and red flag decision making, the 2016 Oakland Raiders secured their fifth long distance road win on the year in another nail-biter.

The win on the back end of a two-game Florida road trip moved the team to 6-2 on the year and maintained a tie atop the very competitive AFC West.

The offense and defense performed very well aside from all the yellow flags. The special teams were not special, but the other two units carried the team.

The Raiders will not win vs. Denver with 20+ penalties, even if everything else goes fairly well. The coaching staff must prove they can eliminate the technical blunders (12 men on the field, eligible lineman not reporting, etc.) and get the players to refrain from poor on field decision-making and fundamentals. It must be a team effort.

The Raiders return home to a HUGE matchup. The team has lost two games in Oakland (Falcons, Chiefs) and now play a third playoff contender at home. They must play better and use the hyped crowd to their advantage. Give this Oakland crowd a chance to go nuts!

Week 9 is never a “must win” but this is about as big as a game as it gets in this point in the season.

See you here next Tuesday for notes on what is hopefully a resounding home AFC West win for the Silver & Black.