Oakland Raiders' Defensive Adjustments Paying Dividends in Ugly Victories

In the previous two victories, the Oakland Raiders have won in ugly fashion, thanks to a stifling defense, which signifies a much-needed balance for a winning formula.

Throughout the 2015-16 NFL season, the buzz surrounding the Raiders’ resurrection has highlighted the offense and rightfully so. However, an ascending team must find various ways of winning football games before becoming a true contender. 

Defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. has done more with less in the secondary and made adjustments in bold fashion—squeezing maximum production out of underachieving players and rookie talents.

Within the previous three outings, the Raiders field the No. 8 total defense in yards allowed and the No. 4 run defense.

Despite a mediocre record, Oakland’s resistance on defense has developed significantly down the stretch, and Norton’s adjustments deserve recognition.

Inserting Ben Heeney into Starting Lineup

Ben Margot/Associated Press

Rookie linebacker Ben Heeney exceeded expectations in the preseason, and he’s carried his exceptional play into the regular season.

When combining Heeney’s Week 14 and Week 16 performances, he graded as the top inside linebacker in the league, per Pro Football Focus.

Draft analysts have criticized Heeney for poor pass coverage, but he hasn’t allowed a touchdown reception since taking over as a starter. He’s surrendering a mere 6.7 yards per reception, which implies quickness and sure tackling when closing on the ball. He’s also logged three sacks as a solid component to blitz schemes.

Norton boldly pulled inside linebacker Curtis Lofton, an eight-year veteran, off the field for an inexperienced rookie. The substitution has bolstered the run defense and equipped the defense with another decent pass-rusher.

Inserting David Amerson into Starting Lineup 

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

There’s a reason cornerback David Amerson became available on the waiver wire earlier in the season. Opposing offenses torched him for 877 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in Washington during the 2014 season.

Norton has essentially turned one team’s castoff into a lead cornerback in the course of a season.

In 2015, Amerson ranks as a top-15 cornerback and a potential cornerstone within the Raiders secondary. He’s only allowed one touchdown, has a stingy 56 percent catch percentage and leads the league in pass defensed, per Team Rankings.

Oakland seemed handcuffed to cornerback D.J. Hayden as a starter on the perimeter, but Norton delivered a stern, indirect message to the former first-round pick through a press conference earlier in the month.

“It’s competition, and we just want to keep stressing—you practice hard, you perform, you’ll play and the same thing on the adverse side of it,” Norton said. “If you don’t practice and you don’t perform, you won’t play.”

It’s unfair to speculate on Hayden’s practice performances, but it’s obvious he struggled in live action on Sundays. Norton opted to replace a struggling cornerback in a pivotal third year for another third-year cornerback, seeking new opportunities.

Amerson capitalized on the renewed chance to develop into a starter with smothering perimeter defense. Silver And Black Pride writer Levi Damien feels Amerson has supplanted T.J. Carrie as Oakland's No. 1 cornerback:

Taylor Mays Finds Niche

Most of us were wrong about safety Taylor Mays’ fit in Oakland. San Francisco Chronicle writer Vic Tafur admitted to his misjudgment:

Mays became the frequent callback player to fill an extra roster spot when necessary. After defensive end Justin Tuck landed on injured reserve with a pectoral injury, the journeyman safety returned to stay.

Mays found his niche within the Raiders defense, defending the slot and tight ends.

In Week 9 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mays fulfilled a definitive role. He shadowed Steelers tight end Heath Miller, and it worked out successfully.

Credit: NFL.com

Credit: NFL.com

Credit: NFL.com

Miller converted six targets into three catches for 32 yards.

Mays continued to play a role in defending top-tier tight ends as the season progressed:

Oakland must consider re-signing Mays for depth at safety due to Charles Woodson’s retirement.

Unleashing Khalil Mack’s Pass-Rushing Talent

Hall of Famer Cris Carter of ESPN’s Sunday Morning Countdown compared defensive end Khalil Mack to another Hall of Famer, Derrick Thomas. The former Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman logged 126.5 career sacks in 11 seasons.

Keep in mind, Mack transitioned from linebacker to defensive end, and he’s leading the league in sacks (15) as a second-year player. Despite a position change, his budding success speaks to exceptional skill and phenomenal coaching.

Impressively, Mack's production hit its peak without linebacker Aldon Smith on the field:

Week	Opponent	Sacks
12	Tennessee Titans	2
13	Kansas City Chiefs	2
14	Denver Broncos	5
15	Green Bay Packers	1

Mack terrorized Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler in Week 14, adding five sacks to his season total. 

After a slow start, the Raiders lead pass-rusher hit his stride, putting the entire league on red alert. Mack also plays a vital role in the Raiders dense interior defense, sealing the edges.

According to Pro Football Focus, he’s head and shoulders above all 3-4 linebackers in run defense, grading 28.8 for the season. He’s a satellite defender, who can line up in various spots and make plays as a pass-rusher and in run support.

Hidden Talent: Denico Autry

Did anyone see Denico Autry developing into a dual-threat defensive lineman, who can take down ball-carriers and pressure the pocket? 

In 2014, Autry played a reserve role as an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi State. He registered nine tackles in his rookie year.

Oakland upgraded its defensive line in the past offseason, signing defensive tackle Dan Williams and drafting defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. Tuck held a starting position at defensive end, and Aldon Smith signed with the team prior to Week 1.

The abundance of talent buried Autry in the rotation, but injuries and a suspension pushed him into the starting lineup.

Autry has started seven games, and Norton developed the undrafted free agent into a versatile playmaker. He ranks third on the team in quarterback hurries (25) and stops (18) at or behind the line of scrimmage.

Autry garnered media buzz when he sacked San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers in the end zone this past Thursday.

Nonetheless, Autry has played well the entire year as a fill-in starter. He’s developing into a solid prospect under Norton. The Raiders hold solid depth on the defensive line that should continue to blossom in 2016.

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All statistics are provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com, Pro Football Focus and Team Rankings unless otherwise noted.