Oakland Raiders: Things Worth Keeping An Eye On Against Dallas

The Oakland Raiders face off with the Dallas Cowboys in their third of four exhibition tilts – here are a few things worth keeping an eye on.

Perhaps the third time will be the charm for the Oakland Raiders. The team has started this exhibition schedule 0-2, and though they’ve had some flashes of brilliance, they’ve also had some moments that have been downright ugly.

It’s to be expected in the preseason, of course. This is the time of year when all of the bugs are getting worked out of the system. In theory, anyway.

Although the 0-2 start means nothing, there are – or at least, should be – some concerns about patterns and tendencies that are already looking all-too-familiar. A secondary that’s getting lit up like a sparkler on the Fourth of July, penalties, inability to cover the tight ends, and poor third down defense.

These were all problems the Raiders encountered all season long last year, and problems we’re seeing bleed over into the 2017 season – exhibition games, though they may be.

Preseason is when patterns and tendencies tend to get set. And some of the patterns and tendencies we’ve seeing crop up over these first two exhibition games need to get sorted out. Quickly. Otherwise, this is going to be another long year, defensively speaking.

This team has a championship-caliber offense. They just need for this defense to not be an albatross around their collective necks. The defense doesn’t have to be historically great – they just need to be competent.

They’ll get another shot to start righting that ship tonight against Dallas – a team they’ll see again later this season. And here are a few things worth keeping an eye on…