NFL Week 7 Report Card: Grading Darren McFadden and the Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders were expected to take a step forward this year and stake their claim as one of the league's best young teams. Six weeks into the 2010 NFL season, head coach Tom Cable's squad looks too much like the Oakland teams of the last decade.
The Raiders record stands at a disheartening 2-4, and they enter Week 7's clash at Denver coming off a loss to the lowly San Francisco 49ers. Despite that, there is reason for some guarded optimism by the Bay.
RB Darren McFadden has been one of the league's best RBs when healthy this season, and Oakland plays in one of the NFL's weakest divisions, the AFC West. Though the Kansas City Chiefs have an early division lead at 3-2, the Raiders have a puncher's chance at winning the West.
After weeks of inconsistent play resulting in a losing record, the Oakland Raiders must get a win on Sunday against the Denver Broncos if they want any chance at challenging for a postseason berth. In doing so, they'll need to exhibit the type of controlled performance that's been hard to come by for Oakland thus far in 2010.
Following are game-by-game grades of the Oakland Raiders as they enter a crucial Week 7 matchup in Denver against the Broncos.
Week 1: Tennessee Titans 38, Raiders 13
1 of 7
Oakland got its 2010 season off to a miserable start, falling 38-13 on the road to RB Chris Johnson and the Tennessee Titans.
New Oakland QB Jason Campbell struggled in his first outing as a Raider, completing 22-of-37 passes for 180 yards, one TD, one interception and also losing a fumble. RB Darren McFadden, an underachiever his first two years in the league, got off to a good start, rushing for 95 yards on 18 carries. Despite that, Oakland managed only 286 yards of offense against the Titans.
QB Vince Young got his season off to a rousing start against the Raiders, completing 13-of-17 throws for 154 yards and two TDs. Star RB Chris Johnson was equally effective, garnering two TDs and 142 yards on the ground. Oakland did force one turnover, however, and ended up allowing only 345 yards to Tennessee.
Offense: 65 (D) - Campbell was ineffective in his Oakland debut, though McFadden provided a bright spot for the Raiders offense.
Defense: 65 (D) - The Raiders didn't allow the Titans a lot of yardage, but surrendering 38 points is never acceptable.
Overall: 60 (D-) - There were almost no positives to take from this one, as the Raiders were dominated from start to finish by a superior team.
Week 2: Raiders 16, St. Louis Rams 14
2 of 7
Oakland evened its 2010 record with a Week 2 home win over the St. Louis Rams.
Backup QB Bruce Gradkowski replaced Campbell after a dismal first half performance by the latter. Gradkowski ignited the Raiders offense, throwing for 162 yards and one TD in the second half. McFadden continued his strong play, rushing 145 yards on 30 attempts. The Oakland offense looked much better in the third and fourth quarters with Gradkowski at the helm, totaled 404 yards and dominated time of possession
The Oakland defense looked much better in Week 2, and proved effective against both the pass and the run. St. Louis QB Sam Bradford threw two TD passes, though only tallied 167 yards through the air. The run defense was better, as the Rams managed a meager 75 yards on the ground. Oakland allowed a mere 210 yards to St. Louis, though that number is admittedly low due to the offense's domination on the ground.
Offense: 87 (B+) - Gradkowski proved far superior to Campbell, and McFadden cemented himself as a breakout candidate in 2010. If Gradkowski had been under center all game, this could have been a rout.
Defense: 90 (A-) - The Oakland defense allowed few big plays, and did enough to keep the team in the game, while Gradkowski got comfortable at QB.
Overall: 89 (B+) - The Raiders got a victory, though it was more difficult than anticipated against a rookie-driven St. Louis squad. Still, their offensive performance in the second half was an indicator of future success.
Week 3: Arizona Cardinals 24, Raiders 23
3 of 7
The Raiders lost a Week 3 heartbreaker on the road to the Arizona Cardinals, falling 24-23.
Gradkowski struggled in his first start of 2010, completing only half of his throws, while tallying one TD and one interception. McFadden was again effective, this running for 105 yards and a score on 25 attempts. The Raiders totaled a respectable 364 yards against the Cardinals, a number often good enough for a win.
The Oakland defense harassed QB Derek Anderson all day, as he completed less than half his passes, threw an interception and lost a fumble. However, he did manage to throw for two scores. The Cardinals run game was good, as RBs Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower helped Arizona rush for 119 yards on 26 carries. The Raiders allowed only 227 yards to the Cardinals and forced three turnovers, but Oakland still lost the game.
Offense: 82 (B-) - Gradkowski was erratic for the Raiders, though he did tally 255 yards through the air. McFadden and the running game was solid, as Oakland totaled 133 yards running the ball.
Defense: 90 (A-) - The Raiders made explosive plays on defense and generally kept the Arizona offense in check.
Overall: 84 (B) - A special teams TD by Arizona killed the Raiders, as they played well enough on both sides of the ball to get a rare road victory.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Week 4: Houston Texans 31, Oakland Raiders 24
4 of 7
The Raiders fell to 1-3 after a home defeat to the Houston Texans, which was not as close as the score indicated.
Gradkowski again proved explosive in Oakland's offense, throwing for 278 yards and two scores. However, he also committed three turnovers. TE Zach Miller continued his stellar play, catching 11 passes for 122 yards and a TD. McFadden was finally slowed, as he managed a paltry 47 yards on 12 carries, though the run game overall was solid in gaining 188 yards. Oakland's 363 yards were enough to win, though the mistakes of Gradkowski ultimately proved too costly.
Houston QB Matt Schaub threw for two TDs against no interceptions, and completed 16 of his 29 throws. RB Arian Foster ran wild over Oakland, finishing with 133 yards and a score on 17 carries. In perhaps Oakland's worst defensive performance of the year, the Texans gained 441 total yards and committed no turnovers.
Offense: 81 (B-) - Gradkowski unfortunately made as many negative plays as positive ones. Without the turnovers, Oakland could have won.
Defense: 65 (D) - The Texans did what they wanted with the Raiders defense, whether it was in the pass game or run game.
Overall: 73 (C) - Despite being down double-digits, Oakland fought back to make the game interesting late. Still, falling behind early at home is not a recipe for success.
Week 5: Raiders 35, San Diego Chargers 27
5 of 7
The Raiders rode amazing special teams play and unexpected consistency at QB to beat the San Diego Chargers 35-27 in Week 5.
After replacing the injured Gradkowski in the first half, Campbell was exceptional, completing 13-of-17 throws for 159 yards and a TD. With McFadden also injured, RB Michael Bush was solid in running for 104 yards and 26 rushes. The Raiders weren't explosive on offense in gaining only 279 yards, but committed no turnovers.
QB Philip Rivers tore through the Oakland defense, passing for 431 yards and two TDs. However, he lost two costly fumbles. The Raiders completely shut down the Chargers running attack, limiting them 91 yards on 26 carries and forcing a fumble by RB Mike Tolbert. Unlike the Oakland offense, San Diego's had success moving the ball up and down the field. Turnovers made the difference for the Raiders defense.
Offense: 87 (B+) - Campbell was extremely efficient, and Bush filled in admirably for McFadden. Mistake-free football was key for the offense in helping the team to a victory.
Defense: 85 (B) - The only thing keeping this grade acceptable was Oakland's ability to force turnovers against San Diego.
Overall: 95 (A) - Despite neither side of the ball playing incredibly well, the Raiders beat the Chargers for the first time in 13 games. Special teams played a vital role in what is the biggest win of this Raiders regime.
Week 6: San Francisco 49ers 17, Raiders 9
6 of 7
Oakland's record fell to 2-4 after Sunday's loss to the previously winless San Francisco 49ers.
Campbell was absolutely dismal filling in for Gradkowski, completing 8-of-21 passes, throwing two interceptions and compiling a laughable QB rating of 11.7. The run game wasn't much better, as Bush managed a meager 47 yards on 20 carries. In their worst offensive performance of the year, Oakland was abysmal in garnering a measly 179 yards.
QB Alex Smith threw for two TDs and 196 yards against the Raiders defense. RB Frank Gore imposed his will on Oakland in running for 149 hard-fought yards on 25 carries. San Francisco accumulated 379 total yards on offense, and didn't commit a turnover against the Raiders.
Offense: 50 (F) - This was one of the worst offensive performances in Raiders history.
Defense: 70 (C-) - Oakland allowed only 17 points, but Gore had his way with the Raiders defense, and Smith—oft-criticized in San Francisco—was very effective in the second half.
Overall: 60 (D-) - Oakland couldn't have done more to damage the hopes of their fan base after Week 5's shocker win over San Diego.
Cumulative Week 7 Grade
7 of 7
Oakland's season virtually rides on this Sunday's game in Denver against the Broncos.
Gradkowski—despite his ball security issues—is clearly the best option for this team at QB, as the offense is far more explosive with him behind center. Additionally, the health of McFadden is crucial to Oakland's success, as he has proven to be dynamic with the ball in his hands. With those two in the lineup, the Raiders have a chance to put points on the board every week. Without them...Yikes.
Offense: 77 (C+)
The Raiders were supposed to be a team built on defense and the running game. So far, the former unit hasn't shown enough to make that strategy effective. Oakland is very good against the pass (thanks to Nnamdi Asomugha), but horrible defending the run. If they want any chance at the playoffs, this is a group that must improve.
Defense: (70 C-)
Despite their deficiencies on either side of the ball, the Raiders have shown fight, passion and fire in 2010. In previous years, those attributes seemed absent with Oakland squads. If they play to their ability on both sides of the ball, the Raiders will be able to ride their emotions to contention as the season wears on. However, given the season's first six weeks, such a scenario seems unlikely.
Overall: 73 (C)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")