Oakland Raiders: A Few Players Who Must Step Up Against Baltimore

The Entire Offensive Line

Coming into the season, Oakland’s offensive line was thought to be the real strength of this team. The driving force behind what was believed to be one of the NFL’s elite offenses. And through the first two games, they looked the part.

But over the last two weeks, gaping cracks have shown in that massive brick wall of humanity. After giving up among the fewest sacks in the NFL last season with a total of 18 allowed, they’re on a pace this year to shatter that mark.

After just four games this year, Oakland’s vaunted offensive line has surrendered half that total already. Nine sacks – in just four games.

Opposing defenses have been allowed to drop quarterback Derek Carr eight times – the last one resulting in his current injury – and his backup E.J. Manuel was dropped once last week by Denver.

Perhaps even more ominous is a unit that paved the way for this team to gain 120 yards on the ground per game last season – making them the sixth best rushing team in the league – is so far, averaging just 86 rushing yards per game. That’s good for twenty-fourth in the league, in case you were wondering.

And running behind what was believed to be one of the league’s elite offensive lines, Oakland’s running backs have managed to gain just 56 total yards in the past two games – combined.

If that wasn’t enough, perhaps even more ominous still is the fact that Oakland’s vaunted aerial attack, the one that was so explosive and dynamic this year – the offense that had two 1,000 yard receivers in Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper – is averaging just 201 yards through the air.

Combined, this offense is putting together an average of 288 yards of total offense and 22 points per game. Which is to say, Oakland’s offense is incredibly anemic.

The Raiders’ offensive success is dependent upon solid play up front. On this line actually being the elite unit they are thought to be.

Because if they’re not pass or run blocking well, if they’re not blowing open holes or keeping their quarterback clean, this offense is in real big trouble. And we’ll see more games like those we saw in Washington and Denver – which is to say, we’ll see a lot of ugly losses.

Oakland’s offensive line absolutely must answer the bell and step up in a big way against Baltimore.