Oakland Raiders v. Kansas City Chiefs: Five Things That Must Happen

Win On Third Down

Not that this is anything new – it’s been a recurring problem for a few years – but the Raiders are having massive issues on defensive third downs. They just can’t seem to stop opposing offenses from picking up a first down – especially in third and long situations.

The Raiders are currently giving up third down conversions at a 46 percent clip – 39 successful conversions on 85 attempts. That’s “good” for twenty-ninth in the league. And they’ve been especially succeptible on third and long.

When opposing offenses have faced third downs of seven yards or more, Oakland has been utterly atrocious. Though, they’ve given up just a single first down against the run, opposing quarterbacks have had a field day, completing 24 of 31 passes (a 77 percent completion rate) for 342 yards – a bloated average of 14.3 yards per reception.

Oakland’s defense given up 14 first downs and a pair of touchdowns in that situation.

Obviously, if they can’t get off the field and teams are able to extend drives, the defense is going to wear down fast. It’s a sure way to give the other team momentum and keep their own offense on the sidelines.

And speaking of the offense, they haven’t been much better than the defense on third downs. Okland’s offense is converting third downs at a 38 percent clip – 27 conversions in 71 attempts. That’s “good” for twenty-first in the league.

They’re 91 total first downs rank them twenty-ninth – just ahead of Cincinatti, Buffalo, and Miami. That’s not the kind of company this offense should be keeping.

Simply put, if this offense cannot find a way to move the chains, reel off some first downs, extend drives, and keep their defense fresh, this season is going to go right down the drain. And with Kansas City having the league’s twenty-ninth ranked defense in terms of yards allow, the Raiders will have some chances.

They just need to take advantage of those chances and make some plays.