Oakland Raiders vs. New England Patriots: Full Report Card Grades for Oakland
The Oakland Raiders were big underdogs against the New England Patriots, but that's not the way the game played out. This was a one-possession game through four quarters, and the Raiders outplayed New England at times.
The biggest factor in this game was that the Raiders' defensive line finally had a positive impact. After being dominated through the first two games, the defense was able to get to the quarterback and pick up its first two sacks of the season.
The offense was unable to score a touchdown for the first time this year, but it was still able to move the ball on the Patriots defense. The unit also stayed away from shooting itself in the foot, something it did plenty of last week.
Despite not coming up with their first victory of the season, the Raiders' performance was greatly improved. The offense moved the ball, the defense came up with big stops and the team gave itself a chance to win the game.
Here's a breakdown of every position's performance in the 16-9 loss.
Quarterback
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Derek Carr had another solid outing. He threw for 174 yards while completing 62 percent of his passes. He did throw an interception, but it wasn't on him. He hit Denarius Moore in the hands, but Moore took his eyes off the ball. There's nothing Carr can do about that.
The primary element still missing from Carr's game is the ability to consistently finish a series. The Raiders had opportunities to score touchdowns, but the offense routinely settled for field goals.
This is partly due to the play-calling still being somewhat conservative, but there were also times when Carr simply missed open receivers that he could have hit for bigger gains. Instead, he settled for something safer. At times, this stopped the offense from bigger plays.
There were also a few passes that he underthrew. It wasn't because he doesn't have the arm strength; it was because he tried to put too much touch on the ball, and he ended up not leading his receivers enough. This cost Oakland at least one touchdown. He'll get better at this as he develops a better rhythm with his receivers.
Carr's play was good overall, and he continues to show he's the quarterback of the future for this team. He's established that he can be efficient. What he has to do now is incorporate the ability to be dangerous.
Grade: C
Running Back
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The Raiders finally made a commitment to the running game. After the running backs combined for only 13 carries in each of the first two games, they combined for 22 carries against the Patriots. Unfortunately, this increase didn't result in any significant production.
Darren McFadden rushed the ball 18 times, but this resulted in only 59 yards, with a meager 3.3 yards per attempt. Even with the added carries, the Oakland offense was still too one-dimensional.
The responsibility for this lack of production also falls on the coaches. There was no creativity in the running game. Most of McFadden's carries were right up the middle. The runs continued to produce very little, but the running plays didn't change. There weren't enough runs to the outside, where McFadden has proven to be more effective.
The coaches also made decisions that left a lot to be desired. This was especially true when, after giving Latavius Murray only one carry all game, they decided to go with him to try and move the ball one yard on a crucial drive.
After gaining nine yards on first down, the Raiders handed the ball to Murray twice but were unable to gain a single yard on their next two attempts and were forced to punt.
The rushing attack was ineffective, and that is ultimately on the running back. However, the play-calling didn't help. Going forward, McFadden needs to continue to get around 20 carries a game, and the play-calling needs to play to his strengths. If not, the running game will remain ineffective.
Grade: D+
Fullback
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The coaches have talked about getting Marcel Reece more involved in the offense since the preseason, but it had yet to happen. There was finally a sign of this on Sunday.
Reece had one rush for seven yards, and he was also targeted seven times in the passing game. He had three receptions for 19 yards. He also beat his coverage on a pass down the sideline that left him open heading into the end zone, but Carr underthrew him. Reece's production might have been minimal, but it was a good sign that his number was regularly called throughout the game.
Getting Reece more involved in the running game should be a focus for the offense going forward. When given the opportunity in the past, he's shown that he has the mobility and the breakaway speed to be dangerous. With how ineffective the running game has been, getting Reece involved needs to be an option.
Grade: C-
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Tight End
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Early in the game, it looked like the tight ends could play a major role. Mychal Rivera had two receptions. Even backup Brian Leonhardt got in on the action. Then, they both completely disappeared for the rest of the game.
Rivera was efficient as a blocker, but he made no impact in the passing game. He was not a receiving threat, as he was only targeted four times. Even if he doesn't put up huge numbers, Rivera has to force the defense to account for him. This didn't happen, and it allowed the defense to focus elsewhere.
How good Rivera will be remains to be seen, but he's certainly capable of more than what he did against the Patriots. The offense needs him to be a consistent threat, but he wasn't on Sunday.
Grade: D
Wide Receiver
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James Jones and Rod Streater each performed well. They finished with three catches each for a combined 75 yards. Those aren't gaudy numbers, but they both averaged over 10 yards a reception and were effective in stretching the field and picking up first downs.
Even Andre Holmes, who's still trying to establish a regular role in the offense, came up with a big 29-yard reception.
The biggest disappointment was Moore, who continues to frustrate with his inconsistency. He had three receptions but was also responsible for the game-ending interception. With the game on the line, Carr hit him in the hands on a short underneath pass, but Moore took his eyes off the ball. The ball went off his hands, bounced up into the air and was picked off.
The team is going to need more from him, especially now with reports that Streater suffered a fractured foot during the game and is likely out for the season, according to CSNBayArea.com's Scott Bair.
The Raiders have talent at wide receiver despite not having a true No. 1. This lack of a playmaker was evident against New England. The Raiders are going to have to figure out a way to manufacture big plays in the passing game.
After a bad performance last week, the wide receivers needed to redeem themselves, and they did so this week. Although there were no big plays, the unit was efficient overall.
Grade: C
Offensive Line
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The offensive line has had a slow start to the season, but it's starting to come together. Sunday's performance was the best of the season.
Although the running game never got going, that had a lot to do with the predictable play-calling. Overall, the line held up well, especially in the passing game. Carr wasn't sacked a single time, and he was given enough time to throw throughout the game.
The unit was also largely penalty-free. Gabe Jackson did get called for holding on the potential game-tying touchdown run by McFadden with 1:02 left in the game, but that was a questionable call at best. Especially considering what the New England offensive line was allowed to get away with all game, Jackson didn't do much to deserve the penalty.
The one area in which the unit struggled was opening up running lanes up the middle. There was little to no room for the running backs in this area, and it's something the offensive line has to work on because it's how you wear down a defense: by being able to run it right at them.
For the game, the unit played well, and this performance is something the team can build off of going forward.
Grade: C+
Defensive Line
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After being completely underwhelming to start the season, the defensive line finally came alive against New England. The unit was able to generate pressure, get to the quarterback and finally get its first sack of the season. The Raiders finished the day with two sacks, both by the defensive line.
The one defensive lineman who had a quiet game was Lamarr Woodley. Justin Tuck earned his first sack, Antonio Smith made his way into the backfield a few times and Pat Sims found some success clogging up the middle. Woodley, on the other hand, ended the game with one tackle and never really made an impact.
The backups also came in and were effective, including C.J. Wilson, who picked up a sack in the game. Justin Ellis also saw time, and he too had some success plugging up some running lanes.
The Oakland defense held Tom Brady and the Patriots offense to only 16 points, and this was largely due to the performance of the defensive line. They were effective against the run and were able to get pressure on Brady throughout the game.
There were still times when the defensive line was pushed around, but overall this was more like the line everyone expected to see. This was by far the unit's best performance of the season. Now they just have make sure to play at this level every week.
Grade: C+
Linebacker
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Heading into the game, the linebackers were the biggest question mark on defense. With Sio Moore and Nick Roach out due to injury, the defense was going to have figure out a way to deal with their absence.
Miles Burris and Kaluka Maiava got the start, and they were able to hold up for the most part. They combined for 13 tackles and were a major part of why the defense was able to hold the Patriots' running game to 76 yards and only 2.4 yards per attempt. Neither is as athletic as Roach or Moore, but they made up for it with high motors and hard hitting.
Mack once again showed why the Raiders selected him fifth overall in the draft. He finished with seven tackles, including one for a loss. He was able to get in the backfield throughout the game, getting to Brady and disrupting his rhythm.
The group struggled at times in pass defense, including a play in which they left Rob Gronkowski alone in the middle of field that gave New England a first down on 3rd-and-15. But the group was able to stay away from major mistakes.
Even without two starters, the linebackers played well. Once Roach and Moore return, this could turn into the defense's strongest group.
Grade: C
Secondary
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Julian Edelman has been Tom Brady's top receiving target so far this season, and the Raiders knew that they were going to have to reduce his impact to have success in this game. But despite that, Edelman still had 10 receptions for 84 yards.
Although Edelman didn't catch a touchdown, he was still single-handedly responsible for keeping a lot of New England's drives alive. Carlos Rogers and T.J. Carrie both saw time against him, but neither had much success.
As has been the case all season, Charles Woodson was the secondary's most dangerous player, getting his hands on a few passes. Although he wasn't able to come up with an interception, Brady had to account for him all game.
Tyvon Branch had another solid game and finished with 10 tackles, but he left the game with what is likely a fractured foot, per Bair. Usama Young is going to be expected to replace Branch's production going forward.
The secondary gave up some plays, but it was able to keep the Patriots out of the end zone aside from a second-quarter touchdown by Gronkowski. Even when giving up yards and first downs, the group was able to reduce the damage and keep the Raiders in the game.
Grade: C
Special Teams
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Sebastian Janikowski kicked his first field goals of the season, and he went 3-for-3 on the day. It was a good sign to see that he had plenty of leg on his attempts. Even on his 49-yard field goal, he easily put it through the uprights. Even better was his placement—all three of his field goals were right down the middle.
His leg strength was never in question. His accuracy, however, has been unreliable in recent seasons. On Sunday, he was spot on in both areas.
Punter Marquette King was effective, but he's seen a drop-off from last season in overall distance. Against the Patriots, he averaged only 43.2 yards per attempt, and he's also not getting the same amount of hang time.
The Oakland coverage units were solid in limited duty. They gave up seven yards on one punt return and 26 yards on one kick return.
Latavius Murray had no kick returns, but Carrie found some success on punt returns. He averaged nine yards on four returns.
Although there were no big plays, this was a solid performance by special teams all around.
Grade: B
Coaching
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The play-calling left a lot to be desired through the first two games. Although there's still plenty of room for improvement, this area took major steps forward against New England.
Offensive coordinator Greg Olson continues to show confidence in Carr's abilities, and this has allowed the rookie to develop. Carr has completed over 62 percent of his passes through three games. The play-calling has also begun to incorporate more plays downfield, providing the offense with opportunities for big plays.
While the passing game has shown improvement, the running game continues to struggle. Even with more carries on Sunday, the production wasn't there. This had a lot to do with the predictably of the runs. Most of them were right up the middle. Going forward, more outside runs need to be incorporated.
Defensively, this was by far the team's best performance. It helped that the defensive line was finally able to be productive, allowing defensive coordinator Jason Tarver to use the rest of the personnel in different ways. Because the defensive line was effective, the linebackers were better in the pass rush and in pass coverage.
The coaches incorporated a game plan that gave the team a chance make plays and put the team in a position to win the game. Overall, the coaches called a solid game.
Grade: C
Final Grades
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| Position Unit | Overall Grade |
| QB | C |
| RB | D+ |
| FB | C- |
| TE | D |
| WR | C |
| OL | C+ |
| DL | C+ |
| LB | C |
| Secondary | C |
| Special Teams | B |
| Coaching | C |
| Cumulative Grade | C |
This was easily Oakland's best performance of the season, but there are still some major areas in which to improve. The defense still had trouble getting off the field on third down, and the offense failed to generate a touchdown in a winnable game.
Moral victories don't mean anything in the standings, and the Raiders still find themselves at 0-3. However, for a team that's rebuilding and trying to establish a new culture of success, this performance is still important, even in a loss.
Oakland is heading into next week's game in London after another defeat, but also with some positives to build on. The defensive line finally showed up, and the team didn't hurt itself with turnovers. If the Raiders continue to play this way, the victories will come.
Unless otherwise noted, stats provided by from ESPN.com.
Share your thoughts and opinions on Twitter @BrianJ_Flores.
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