Oakland Raiders Week 2: 5 Keys to Victory

After Oakland's ugly 22-14 loss to the Chargers on Monday night, the reaction was swift, and as expected, negative. Although the Raiders did some really good things, particularly on run defense, the reality was their loss was most due to self-destruction.

Three special teams blunders, a fumble on the opening drive deep in San Diego territory and a pair of third-down penalties by Tommy Kelly all contributed to points for the Chargers or no points for the Raiders.

Now, the Raiders head down to Miami for a suddenly huge road game against the Dolphins. With the Steelers and Broncos looming and having seen Miami get hammered 30-10 in Houston, this becomes a very critical game early in the season. The specter of an 0-4 start is not something the new regime of Reggie McKenzie and Dennis Allen want to face this early in their remodeling of the Raiders. 

So with that, here are five keys to the Raiders getting their first win of the 2012 NFL season.

Pressure Ryan Tannehill

After a promising first series against the Chargers that netted a sack and a quarterback pressure, the Raiders defense was unable to get to Phillip Rivers the remainder of the game.

Facing the Dolphins, it is imperative that Oakland brings the pressure to rookie Ryan Tannehill early and often. This is where Allen and defensive coordinator Jason Tarver should have the latitude to turn the blitz loose.

I say that for two reasons.

One, Miami's offensive line is better than San Diego's, anchored by perennial Pro Bowl left tackle Jake Long. Considering the Raiders were facing an undrafted left tackle in Mike Harris and couldn't get sustained pressure on Rivers, it may be high time to ratchet up the pressure elsewhere.

Two, the proof of what even a rookie quarterback can do was seen last year when the Raiders played Minnesota. Christian Ponder went 19-of-33 for 211 yards and two touchdowns, and it took an end-zone interception, or else, the Raiders may have been defeated.

So if trying to get to the quarterback with four does not work early, turn up the blitz. I would take my chances with a rookie quarterback trying to beat me deep against heat than allowing him time in the pocket to build up his confidence. Isn't that why Allen and Tarver are here in the first place? 

Win the Turnover Battle

This one is important not because of their own turnovers, but, I think, that to beat a team like Miami that has bullied the Raiders the last two years, they are going to have to generate multiple turnovers.

Sustaining long drives has not happened when the game was in hand, and as a matter of fact, the Raiders scored their points in 2010 on a kickoff return, a 43-yard touchdown pass and a field goal set up by an amazing catch by injured Jacoby Ford.

To avoid this necessity, the Raiders must change field position. Phillip Adams was decent on punt returns, but I honestly think a couple of quick scores will be necessary to win Sunday. That means either forcing Tannehill's hand or something opportunistic on a strip or sack. 

Of course, this does mean the Raiders have to protect the ball themselves. All things considered, they really committed four turnovers, but since botched and blocked punts don't count, the official tally was just one. Anything that turns field position that sharply, though, is not going to bode well.

Stretch the Field

One of the unspoken keys to the Charger game was the fact that San Diego defensive coordinator John Pagano basically put eight in the box with strong safety Atari Bigby essentially playing a fifth linebacker to stop the run.

This was for more than just stopping Darren McFadden. The Chargers recognized early that the Raiders weren't stretching the field. Cue the Al Davis is spinning in his grave talk in 3, 2, 1...

OK, that out of the way, it is not just about the wide receivers. The last two years, Miami's corners have bullied Raider receivers. To combat that, other players have to be utilized.

Here is where Marcel Reece can do major damage up the field as a pass-catcher. Carson Palmer did not look comfortable looking for Darrius Heyward-Bey, so the return of Denarius Moore is critical. However, with a tender hamstring, major expectations might be a bit much right away.

So to combat that, it is imperative that Greg Knapp dials up some plays that clear the field out for other guys. Brandon Myers caught a few passes down the field. David Ausberry could be someone used in a two-tight end set.

But ultimately, Palmer has to stretch it down the field to his primary wide receivers Heyward-Bey and Rod Streater to allow underneath routes to the running backs, particularly McFadden to have a chance of success.

Another Run-Game Road Block

The last two years against Miami, the Raiders already suspect run defense was gouged even more than usual, allowing 209 yards in 2011 and 186 yards in 2010.

To beat Miami, they have to turn the Dolphin offense into something one-dimensional, and that dimension can't be Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas. This has to be a game that Oakland makes Miami Ryan Tannehill dependent to win.

For that to happen, the Raiders need only do what they did so well in their opening week performance: play disciplined, gap-controlled defense. Rolando McClain, Miles Burris and Phillip Wheeler were great against the run staying in their assigned lanes and making tackles in space. That is even more of a necessity going up against an elusive runner like Bush. 

If you remember last year, Bush had one of his best NFL games running for 100 yards on 22 carries with a touchdown. If he has numbers similar to that, the Raiders definitely can't have Thomas carrying 13 more times for 73 yards of his own. That will be a recipe for defeat. While I doubt the Raiders will hold the Dolphins to 32 yards on 20 carries like they did the Chargers, keeping them under 100 yards is paramount on the road.  

Convert and Stop 3rd Downs

For me, this will be what wins or loses this game. The Raiders have to convert third downs. And that is a two-fold scenario.

To convert third downs, the Raiders have to be in position to make manageable plays. Against San Diego, the Raiders faced 3rd-and-21, 3rd-and-13 and 3rd-and-24. Those are just not good scenarios.

Conversely, the Oakland defense has to get itself off the field. By and large, they did a good job against San Diego. The Chargers went 5-of-13 Monday night on third-down conversions, but two of those were on offside penalties by Tommy Kelly. In other words, when the Raiders were forcing the Chargers to beat them, they did a good job of stopping them.

Against Miami, it will be important to force them into obvious passing downs and take their chances getting after Tannehill. I expect the offense will be simplified with short passes and screens to alleviate his responsibilities.

To make that less of an issue, the Raiders have to win on first and second down. Getting quick series and turning field position should be the difference in a close game.

Conclusion

It goes without saying that Carson Palmer and Darren McFadden have to show up but not necessarily in the ways you might think. For Palmer, avoiding the mistakes like he did in the opener is just as critical as the big plays he produces.

McFadden probably won't be held to 32 yards on 15 carries, but if he can add a receiving threat week by week, it only enhances his productivity. 

That said, the Raiders need a complete team effort. Don't be fooled by that Miami loss in Houston. They are a different team at home, and Houston is a much more physical team.

Yes, I know the Raiders won there last year, but it is not a linear comparison. Miami has been a bad matchup, and to win, it won't be simply because the Raiders line up and smash them off the ball. Execution is going to be the name of the game.

Ultimately, this will be a game of little things adding up in a big way. Assuming the Raiders don't self-destruct again (and I doubt it happens), getting a win in Miami will be about eliminating the self-inflicted wounds. If Oakland can avoid the negative plays and shores up the special teams, I see them coming away with a close, but clear victory Sunday.

Prediction: Oakland 19, Miami 13