Oakland Raiders: A Few Predictions For Week Two Game With Falcons

Redemption For Smith, Secondary

There is no other way to put it – the Oakland secondary was terrible in week one. Beyond terrible. The Raiders brought in high priced free agents like Bruce Irvin, Sean Smith, and Reggie Nelson to help shore up a defense that improved but still had issues last season.

Those free agent moves didn’t exactly pan out in week one as the Raiders were gashed for 507 yards of offense – 423 yards of those through the air.

Brees picked apart Oakland’s secondary all day long. Nobody had a good game, but it was the worst for Smith who gave up almost 200 yards all on his own. It was bad enough that HC Jack Del Rio benched his prized free agent in the second half of the game in favor of D.J. Hayden. Which should tell you just how bad Smith’s day was.

Smith’s day was so bad, he was drawing comparisons to very notable Raiders free agent bust DeAngelo Hall.

And with another high powered offense rolling into town, many are wondering if Oakland’s secondary is going to have another long, terrible day. Matty Ryan, Julio Jones, and Mahomed Sanu form a pretty potent passing attack in their own right. Add in Tevin Coleman‘s pass catching out of the backfield and Atlanta has a lethal attack.

But week two is not going to mirror game one. Jones presents a much better matchup for Smith and Amerson. Whereas Saints receivers Brandin Cooks and are smaller, faster, shiftier receivers, Jones and Sanu are bigger, more physical ones.

Amerson and Smith are big, physical receivers. Much of their game relies on bumping and running. It was more difficult for them to get the bump on smaller receivers who had more speed. A lot more speed.

But in going up against Jones and Sanu – guys more their size – Oakland’s corners will be able to be more physical and play tighter coverage.

Game one and game two of this season are going to be night and day for the Raiders. For their secondary in particular. Matched with guys closer to their size and speed, Smith and Amerson will find redemption and the Raiders secondary will stifle Atlanta’s passing attack.

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