Oakland Raiders: 5 Attainable Goals For The Team In 2015

Dec 28, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; General view of the ten yard line following the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High between the Oakland Raiders against the Denver Broncos. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 47-14. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Improve Third Down Efficiency

One of the team’s Achille’s Heels in 2014, was their inability to convert on third downs – on both offense, and defense.

On offense, the Raiders were 80-236 on third down conversions, good for an abysmal 33.9 percent conversion rate – which was 28th in the league. Only the Jaguars, Washington, Titans, and Browns were worse.

That’s not exactly the sort of company you want to be keeping.

For this offense to take a step forward – not to mention, take some of the burden off of the defense – Oakland absolutely, positively, must improve upon this number. And improve it a lot. Derek Carr and the offense must find ways to keep the chains moving, keep the defense off the field and resting, and ultimately put the ball in the endzone. But first and foremost, they must improve their third down efficiency.

On defense, Oakland did fare better. They limited opposing offenses to a 38.5 percent conversion rate (85-221), good for 14th in the league. Given how much they were on the field, thanks in large part to the offensive ineptitude at times, it was a Herculean effort.

But it’s a number that they can, and must improve upon. The defense definitely got better late in the season, which improved their conversion rate overall. But the defense was absolutely terrible in the early part of the year. It’s something the Raider defense, flush with new faces, can’t afford to repeat.

To be competitive in 2015, the Raiders must improve build upon that late season momentum, and improve their efficiency on third downs, defensively speaking. They really must try to crack the top 10 in 2015, and with some proven run stuffers, as well as a defensive-centric coaching staff, it’s well within their grasp.

Next: Must Learn To Stuff The Run