5 Biggest Takeaways from Oakland Raiders' Week 2 Win
The Oakland Raiders upset victory over the Baltimore Ravens presents some interesting storylines going forward. Some focus points should cause concern, and others provide a breath of fresh air to a franchise trying to rise from obscurity.
The Raiders' entertaining 37-33 victory raised question marks for those seeing the glass half-empty. How did an offensively limited team put up 33 points on defensive coordinator Ken Norton’s talented defense?
For those seeing the glass half-full, there’s an uncontrollable excitement for the strides made on offense. Quarterback Derek Carr transitioned from a conservative game manager to a gutsy gamer against a formidable defense.
We’ll go through the most intriguing narratives stemming from the Raiders’ Week 2 victory over the Ravens.
Bill Musgrave a Non-Conventional Play-Caller
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In consecutive weeks, running back Latavius Murray has carried the ball 15 times or less.
Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave decided to go with Carr’s bruised hot hand in the victory over the Ravens. Carr threw the ball 46 times, which denotes that injury as non-factor.
Murray put in a lot of work to solidify himself as the starting running back in the offseason, and he looked sharp in the preseason. He's averaging nearly 4.2 yards per carry this season, but he’s not the focal point of the offense at this juncture.
The Raiders offense focuses on the vertical attack and establishing an early rhythm between Carr and his main targets. Carr threw four passes to start the game before Murray took his first carry out of the backfield.
This approach is subject to change as the season progresses and weather factors into the game plan. Right now, the rushing attack serves as an accessory to the offense with Murray used as a receiver in the flat. He recorded 10 receptions in the last two games.
Ken Norton a Conservative Play-Caller
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On paper, the Raiders seem like a team that could put fear in opposing quarterbacks, but Norton continues to run a passive defense on all levels.
The four-man rush looks basic with very little stunts or blitzes mixed in to keep the quarterback’s head on a swivel. The Raiders haven’t recorded a sack through two weeks with edge-rushers Khalil Mack and Aldon Smith on the roster.
Norton’s preseason pass rush comes off as an illusion. Mack dominated one-on-one matchups but can’t seem to find the quarterback when the games count even with Smith by his side.
The secondary played in a bend but don’t break style of coverage in Week 2. Wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. caught 10 passes for 150 yards. Second-year wideout Kamar Aiken caught five passes for 89 yards.
Cornerback Neiko Thorpe registered the team's first and only interception of the season while sealing the Raiders' Week 2 victory. Norton’s defense cannot continue to win games without pressure up front and forced turnovers on the back end.
Rod Streater Odd Man Out?
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The Raiders unexpectedly deactivated wide receiver Rod Streater in Week 2. Brice Butler sat out as a healthy inactive, and the Raiders traded him days later.
Oakland will likely keep all five of its wide receivers throughout the season. However, Streater could fall out of the rotation as the odd man out in a contract year. He’s developing slowly within the offense after missing much of training camp due to an offseason illness.
Andre Holmes fulfilled his role sufficiently as the niche receiver capable of racking up yards in chunks. Holmes caught three passes for 50 yards, averaging nearly 17 yards per reception. The fifth-year wideout averaged 14.7 yards per catch to lead all Raiders wide receivers in 2014.
Holmes plays in a familiar role, while Streater continues struggle to find a role within the offense. Seth Roberts likely holds onto the primary slot position over Streater going forward.
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Tight End Coverage Issues
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Once again, a tight end ran free against the Raiders defense. Second-year tight end Crockett Gillmore registered five catches for 88 yards and two touchdowns—all career highs.
Gillmore caught passes across the middle and up the seam, dragging defenders a few yards in a favorable matchup against Oakland’s defense.
Eventually, teams will decide to feature their tight ends to gouge the Raiders defense until they prove capable of making stops.
The Raiders need a linebacker or safety to show resistance in the middle of the field before taking on their division opponents.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates and Denver Broncos tight end Owen Daniels are all highly productive receivers capable of taking full advantage of soft pass coverage in the middle of the field.
Carr and Cooper Connection Established
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Raider Nation finally saw the birth of the Carr-to-Amari Cooper tandem.
Oakland has routinely thrown to Cooper early and often. The trend makes you wonder if it’s part of the weekly plan or just to get the rookie wideout accustomed to expecting several targets per game.
Either way, this connection has the potential to develop into something special. Cooper’s ability to elude defenders with his quickness makes him a threat once he establishes possession of the football.
Cooper can extend a first down into a 20- or 30-yard gain as seen on the first drive in Week 2. It’s too early to tell if this tandem rises to one of the league's best, but expect plenty of Carr-to-Cooper highlights in 2015.
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All statistics are provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com and Pro Football Focus unless otherwise noted.
Week 2 statistics and play-by-play analysis provided by NFL.com.
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