Defensive issues mar start to Raiders’ Garoppolo era
(Credit: Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results”. It’s a quote often (wrongly) attributed to the great physician Albert Einstein. Nevertheless, both ‘Al’ Einstein and Raiders legend Al Davis would be driven to the brink of insanity watching the Raiders week two matchup with the Buffalo Bills. A game in which the ‘unstoppable force’ Bills defeated the ‘pliable object’ Raiders, 38-10.
Ahead of the season, the Raiders defence was ranked 31st leaguewide by PFN, after 2022 saw them rank within the bottom 10 teams with almost every major defensive stat.
Despite a decent showing in the season opener against Denver, they fell apart against Buffalo, and could well live up to these lowly expectations.
What happened in Week Two?
The Raiders put points on the board with their very first drive against Buffalo as Davante Adams found pay-dirt for the first time this season. Initially the defence looked to be holding up as well, as they forced Buffalo to punt. It would, however, be the only Buffalo punt on Sunday.
After Jimmy Garoppolo’s tipped pass was picked off on the Raiders’ second possession, the momentum quickly shifted. From that moment on, it was all Buffalo.
The offensive line play from the Raiders was poor, allowing constant pressure on their newly acquired quarterback, and although Vegas did not concede any sacks, in the run it was non-existent as the Raiders managed only 55 yards by ground.
Meanwhile, Josh Allen broke out for 274 yard and three touchdowns, Gabe Davis ran circles around the Raiders defensive backs, and two rushing touchdowns polished off a neat and tidy win for the New York outfit, in which they dominated on all fronts.
Defensive struggles continue
Vegas was poor on offence, no doubt. Two interceptions and a -2 yard performance from last season’s leading rusher don’t just happen.
But there is a lot that player stats don’t show about a performance.
The desperate and panicked defending, for example – illustrated by Nate Hobbs’ pass interference call which placed Buffalo on the goal line.
Trevon Moehrig’s late hit on Josh Allen, which did nothing but draw a penalty, display frustration, and poke the beast which is Josh Allen. Or perhaps, shifting focus onto team statistics, Buffalo’s efficiency in both third and fourth down situations, converting 7/13 and 3/4 respectively.
The Raiders allowed Allen a completion rate of 83.8%, gave up 183 rushing yards and were pushed around all day by the Bills offensive line. Sure, they secured two sacks. But the Bills were free to move the ball anyway they chose on almost every other play.
Sam old Raiders?
The Raiders main roster moves this offseason were the signings of Garoppolo, Jakobi Meyers and draft pick Tyree Wilson.
The latter is one of only a few defensive additions made this summer, along with Marcus Epps and 30-year-old Marcus Peters, and he has had a quiet start to his professional career.
For the most part, the Raiders defence is the same which finished 2022 with a final ranking of 26. The same defence which was 29th in passing yards against, and 27th in both first downs conceded and completions against.
Is all of this an overreaction? Possibly. It is week two, and the Bills have established themselves as having an elite offence during the Allen era.
But the Raiders seemed certain they would be playoff contenders this year.
As they should have found with Derek Carr – who made one playoff appearance in nine seasons – that simply will not suffice. Yet, such is the Raiders insanity – expecting different results with the same personnel.
The Raiders managed to claw their way to a 6-11 record in 2022, with Josh Jacobs as their only saving grace. On Sunday, Jacobs became the only reigning leading rusher in history to have a negative yardage game, and in doing so made it clear that he won’t be the hero for a second season running.
With Jakobi Meyers already missing time, and Davante Adams himself having a concussion scare, that puts further pressure onto the defence, which up until this moment has only cracked in such circumstances.
Following Sunday’s loss, the Raiders have placed Chandler Jones on the non-football illness list, and linked with a new addition – running back Cam Akers.
Clearly, the Raiders defensive issues will remain unaddressed. The insanity continues. Whether results change will be seen Sunday against Pittsburgh.
