2017 Season Grades so Far at Oakland Raiders' Bye Week
The Oakland Raiders will have a bye week to assess what they've done well and which areas need work before sharing the field with the New England Patriots in Mexico City during Week 11.
Offensively, the 2017 Raiders have taken a step back from last year's team. The defense continues to give up big plays without forcing turnovers to kill drives. Even in victory in Week 9, Ken Norton Jr.'s unit allowed Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Cutler to throw for 311 yards and three touchdowns.
Fortunately, Oakland left Miami with another and its playoff hopes still alive. Nonetheless, head coach Jack Del Rio needs to inject more mojo into his squad to clinch a postseason berth in December.
During Monday's press conference, Del Rio mentioned 10 wins as the benchmark for a playoff team in most cases.
"I said it's been my experience in this league that you typically have to get to 10 (wins), and that doesn't always get it done. I think this year is one of those years where it's very competitive throughout the league."
At 4-5, Oakland would have to finish as the hottest team in the league with a 6-1 stretch through Weeks 11-17. Though it's not impossible, the Silver and Black would have to play a lot better than they have over the past seven outings to reach the 10-win mark.
Before seeking answers for improvement, we must assess what the Raiders have done through nine weeks. When dissecting the team into units, what's the grade for each group?
Passing Offense
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Do you like roller-coaster rides? Follow the peaks and valleys of the Raiders passing offense through nine games.
Before quarterback Derek Carr suffered a transverse process fracture, he struggled against the Washington Redskins in Week 3. Through approximately three quarters against the Denver Broncos a week later, he completed just 55 percent of his passes.
However, it's not all on Carr. His receivers, specifically wideout Amari Cooper, have dropped far too many passes. The third-year pass-catcher has a 49.4 percent catch rate, which is equivalent to Seth Roberts' reception frequency from the previous season.
Last week, Del Rio spoke about mojo, but the offense doesn't have the same juice when Cooper can't hang onto critical third-down receptions or threaten defenses over the top.
On the bright side, wideout Michael Crabtree has carried over his red-zone play from the previous campaign with six touchdown catches in eight contests. Tight end Jared Cook's presence as the second-most reliable receiver saves the grade for this unit. He leads the team with 499 receiving yards and logged two 100-yard performances in the previous three games.
Carr can only hope Cooper shows glimpses of the same player who torched the Kansas Chiefs secondary in Week 7, but he should lean on Crabtree and Cook in the meantime. When the four Cs all click together in the aerial attack, it's trouble for any pass defense.
Grade: B-
Rushing Offense
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Once running back Marshawn Lynch decided to return to action for the love of his hometown, many expected the Raiders ground attack to reach new levels with Beast Mode replacing Latavius Murray as the featured ball-carrier in the backfield.
In 2016, the Raiders rushing offense ranked No. 6 with six 100-yard performances through nine weeks. In the same span this year, Oakland's ground attack lists No. 26 with four games over the century mark.
It's not as a simple as blaming Beast Mode for the drop-off. He's averaged more than 3.7 yards per carry in four of the seven games, which excludes his early exit for an ejection in Week 7.
Offensive coordinator Todd Downing hasn't fully committed to running the football. Oakland has registered the fewest rush attempts in the league at approximately 21 totes per contest. It's an astonishing number when considering Carr could hand off to five different ball-carriers.
Unless Lynch can't handle 15 carries per game, he should reach that amount to keep defenses honest. He'd draw a safety into the box or a linebacker would have to stick his nose in between the tackles, which opens passing lanes for Carr.
As a team, the Raiders average 4.1 yards per rush attempt, but they must avoid falling in love with the passing attack, especially when receivers routinely drop receptions.
Grade: C
Run Defense
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Oakland fields several young developing talents along the defensive line. As the season progresses, this unit should blossom into the most improved.
Mario Edwards Jr., in a healthy state, adds a significant push to the front seven with his ability to shed tackles and wrap up ball-carriers. There's so much focus on sacks that we forget how well Khalil Mack sets the edge as a run defender. Oftentimes, coordinators design plays toward the side opposite the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
Slowly, it's coming to together for the defensive front. Between Weeks 2 and 5, opposing teams gashed the Raiders front seven for 100 yards or more. However, the unit has held three of the last four opponents under the century mark.
Interior linemen Justin Ellis, Eddie Vanderdoes, Treyvon Hester and Edwards, when playing on the inside, will form a solid wall going into the colder months. It's good timing since teams tend to rely more on the run when temperatures drop after Thanksgiving.
Veteran linebacker NaVorro Bowman's presence adds a plus to the grade due to his inspirational play since signing with the team mid-October. The arrow points up for the front line.
Grade: C+
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Pass Defense
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Here's where it gets ugly. General manager Reggie McKenzie attempted to address the secondary, but his top two draft picks missed most of the offseason program. Cornerback Gareon Conley and safety Obi Melifonwu have played a combined 99 snaps in 2017. As a result, they've been unable to elevate the pass defense.
In addition, cornerbacks David Amerson and Sean Smith have experienced some rough patches with perpetual issues covering quicker receivers. In small spots, both have shown the ability to provide some resistance, but it doesn't seem sustainable for longer periods.
By default, cornerback Dexter McDonald has played significant snaps due to injuries, but he's going through growing pains as an inexperienced starter. On Sunday, he found himself in Cutler's crosshairs and struggled with tackling assignments.
Overall, T.J. Carrie has been the most consistent among the cornerbacks, but he rarely forces takeaways. He's logged just one interception and a forced fumble in each of the previous three seasons.
Safety Reggie Nelson doesn't have the quickness to cover over the top. He's frequently trailing receivers downfield. Karl Joseph adds pop to the run defense, but the coaching staff hasn't budged on using him as a deep safety to erase mistakes in deep coverage.
Through nine weeks, the Raiders have allowed 10.7 yards per completion, per Team Rankings, essentially averaging a first down on receptions surrendered in pass defense.
Melifonwu only played seven snaps against the Dolphins on Sunday. According to NBC Bay Area reporter Scott Bair, Del Rio expects Amerson to return to action after the bye week. Conley's status remains unclear.
In preparation for the Patriots' No. 1 passing offense, defensive assistants John Pagano and Norton must spend extra time with the healthy defensive backs expected to play in Week 11.
Grade: D
Special Teams
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Despite losing several key contributors on special teams, shifting Cory James to a starter at inside linebacker and placing kicker Sebastian Janikowski on injured reserve, Brad Seely's unit shines above all with the highest grade.
James Cowser, Shalom Luani and Erik Harris lead all special teams contributors in snap count. Cordarrelle Patterson has three tackles in kick coverage, and he's averaging 30.8 yards per kickoff return.
There's no buzz about designating Janikowski for a return from injured reserve because Giorgio Tavecchio's powerful left foot has drilled three out of four field-goal attempts from 50-plus yards away. Aside from a couple of miscues in Week 7 against the Chiefs, he's been steady during his first season.
Punter Marquette King's long distance punts continue to help the defense with field positioning. He ranks No. 2 in the league, averaging 50.3 yards per punt. It doesn't seem like a big deal, but it's significant for a defense that rarely forces turnovers—currently tied for last with six.
By far, Seely's group provides the brightest outlook. It's a well-deserved A on many levels.
Grade: A
Coaching
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It's impossible to judge schemes from the outside, but the Raiders have done less with more on offense, which falls on Downing's lap as the new coordinator. As a first-time play-caller, we should expect growing pains, but Oakland ranks No. 15 in points scored and No. 18 in yards accumulated with a loaded group.
Furthermore, it's shocking the offense can't sustain drives. Oakland ranks No. 28 in time of possession, per Team Rankings, with control of the ball an average 27:50 through nine contests. As a result, the defense takes the field more than most in the league.
In some games, it's fair to praise Downing for carving out a role for Patterson at running back or designing deep strikes for Johnny Holton downfield.
In other cases, it's frustrating to see Lynch take 13 carries when he's averaging 4.85 yards per attempt in a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Keep a close eye on changes, if any, made to the offensive scheme after the bye week.
Despite the focus on limiting explosive plays, the defensive backs still experience lapses with a slow-footed deep safety in Nelson.
As an established veteran, the coaching staff seems opposed to tweaking the deep coverage at free safety. The resistance to change could cost the Raiders against the Patriots, Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles down the stretch.
Sometimes, the hardest changes are also the most necessary for growth.
If Del Rio wants to spark a 6-1 run to finish the season, a bold lineup shift may light a fire under his team. He cannot expect better results while accepting the same mistakes week to week. Until he shakes the status quo, the Raiders may themselves on the outside looking into the AFC playoff picture.
Grade: D
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