Golden Gate Sports
Fansided

Oakland Raiders: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Vs. Ravens

By Kevin Saito

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
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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 8
Next
Oakland Raiders
Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Terrance West (28) runs for a gain ahead of Oakland Raiders linebackers Khalil Mack (52) and Cory James (57) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /

The Ugly: More Ground Game Woes

Having beefed up their defensive front with additions like Bruce Irvin, Shiilque Calhoun, and Jihad Ward, the Raiders were expcted to get better against the run this season. So far, they’ve looked absolutely terrible against the run this season.

With HC Jack Del Rio and DC Ken Norton Jr. running the show last year, the Raiders improved their run defense. They helped move the Raiders from the sub-basement of the league in run defense up to a more resectable middle of the pack standing last season.

Live Feed

Khalil Mack blatantly calls out Chargers teammates after Broncos loss
Khalil Mack blatantly calls out Chargers teammates after Broncos loss /

Bolt Beat

  • Khalil Mack's record-setting 2023 for Chargers nearly never happened Bolt Beat
  • Khalil Mack carries Chargers to snooze fest win over Patriots Bolt Beat
  • Chargers news: Keenan Allen injury, Khalil Mack award, Josh Palmer injury update Bolt Beat
  • Chargers LB Joey Bosa carted off the field in Week 11. Out vs. Ravens? Ebony Bird
  • Deshaun Watson and the 5 worst contracts in the NFL right now FanSided

    • So far this year though, the run defense has regressed to pre-Del Rio levels. Currently, they rank thirty-first in the league in yards surrendered on the ground. If you’re scoring at home, the defense has given up 538 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. They’re also surrendering yards on the ground at a very healthy clip of 5.1 yards per carry.

    Baltimore running back Terrance West absolutely gouged the Raiders defense, running for 113 yards on 21 carries – a bloated average of 5.4 yards per carry. He also tacked on a touchdown.

    This came a week after Titans running back DeMarco Murray gashed them for 114 yards on 16 carries and two weeks after Falcons running back Devonta Freeman gained 93 yards on 17 carries.

    If the Raiders hope to run the gauntlet set before them this season, they’re going to need their defense to step up. And that starts up front. If they can control the line of scrimmage and shut down opposing running backs, they can force teams to become one dimensional – and then they can start taking over games.

    Suffice it to say though, the Raiders run defense is bad. Really, really bad. And it needs to improve very, very quickly.

    Home/Las Vegas Raiders News