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Oakland Raiders: Disappointing Defense Remains an Issue

By Russell S. Baxter

Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oakland Raiders linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) celebrates his quarterback sack with Ben Heeney (50) in the first quarter of their game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oakland Raiders linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) celebrates his quarterback sack with Ben Heeney (50) in the first quarter of their game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oakland Raiders have become one of the more entertaining teams in the league. Unfortunately, that’s also due to their play on defense.

A year ago, the Oakland Raiders offense came of age thanks to quarterback Derek Carr, wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper and a smattering of running back Latavius Murray. Only two teams gained more total yards than Jack Del Rio’s squad and the Silver and Black attack produced 41 offensive touchdowns.

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Unfortunately, that defense didn’t get the memo and this became Oakland’s top priority this past spring and summer. We’re still kind of waiting for that side of the football to come into its own.

Four weeks into 2016 and the Raiders are dead last in the league in total yards and passing yards allowed per contest. Only the San Francisco 49ers have surrendered more yards per game on the ground.

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Del Rio’s offensive unit has totaled 14 touchdowns and the team 108 points. The defense has given up 12 touchdowns and the club has allowed 106 points.

The offseason additions of Bruce Irvin,  Sean Smith and Reggie Nelson were supposed to help. They joined a unit led by Khalil Mack, Malcolm Smith, and David Amerson. General manager Reggie McKenzie used the 16th overall pick in April’s draft to secure strong safety Karl Joseph out of West Virginia.

The newcomers have drawn mixed reviews. Nelson, who led the NFL with 10 takeaways last season while with the Cincinnati Bengals, made his presence felt in the Week 3 win at Tennessee with an interception and a fumble recovery. He also tops the team with 31 tackles.

Irvin has a dozen tackles and two of the team’s five sacks, but has also forced three fumbles. Sean Smith is tied with Nelson for second on the club with four passes defensed, but the veteran has gotten off to a shaky start. Mack, who finished second in the NFL with 15 sacks in 2015, has just  one sack this season to date.

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The really important games begin for the playoff-starved Raiders this weekend as they host the division-rival San Diego Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs the next two weeks. Both clubs are capable of putting points on the board, especially against an Oakland defense that has been less-than-impressive.

Now would be a good time for this group to gel. Oakland is off to a 3-1 start but that good feeling could disappear in a hurry if they don’t learn quickly how to consistently stop the opposition. The pieces are in place but there’s still plenty of work to be done.

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