What did you expect following the dreadful loss to the Seahawks in London followed by the unexpected trade of Amari Cooper?
I surely didn’t expect Derek Carr to deliver in the fashion in which he did. Carr was 21-28 for 244 yards which included a streak of 17 straight competitions. Carr also accounted for all 4 of our touchdowns. It was a glimpse of hope to what has been a heartbreaking season.
And quite frankly, it should have been enough.
However, our shattered and broken defense allowed 461 yards of offense, including 222 yards on the ground. Indianapolis only punted once and committed 0 turnovers.
Although the future looks bleak, there are plenty of positives to take away from the game against Indy even if they are all on the offensive side of the ball.
Derek Carr proved that he can be the quarterback this franchise needs in moving forward. He showed poise in the pocket and delivered under pressure, once on a touchdown to Lafell and once to Jared Cook for a big 1st down early in the game. He showed the touch and precision that had all of Raider Nation excited when we drafted him.
Kolton Miller looked healthy and confident yesterday. Rodney Husdon and Gabe Jackson were dominate at the point of attack. Carr was kept clean and on his feet all day.
My biggest concern with the offense is that although Doug Martin had a solid game, Jalen Richard is more explosive and adds a needed wrinkle in the passing game. Also, Richard is only 25 and a better option as far as being a future building block for the organization. I’m not saying Richard is or can be a featured, starting running back but most teams use a committee and Richard is definitely fits that puzzle piece.
Brandon Lafell and Jared Cook picked up the production in the absence of Cooper. Seth Roberts capitalized on his limited role in scoring on a 31 yard touchdown. Also, Richard added 8 receptions for 50 yards. My biggest concern is Martavis Bryant didn’t see the field much and we are wasting snaps on Jordy Nelson. It doesn’t matter if Nelson can still compete, we aren’t winning and he isn’t part of our long term plans. We need to get Bryant more touches and let his natural abilities take over.
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On to the dreadful Defense…
First off, we need to trade Bruce Irvin for a bag of potatoes if we can. He didn’t even show up on the stat sheet and is still on the books for for 17 million dollars. Fadol Brown and Frostee Rucker both out performed him.
Hurst, Hill and Key weren’t able to record a sack but they showed the push and energy this defense is missing. They have to be frustrated with the losing but they aren’t showing on the field.
Our cornerbacks weren’t bad, in fact, they only gave up one touchdown and it was on a one handed, highlight reel catch. TY Hilton was held to just 1 catch and Inman only had 52 receiving yards. Gereon Conley performed better than he has in recent weeks so hopefully we give him more time to develope and not ship him out.
The safeties and linebackers got lit up by the Tight Ends, giving up 10 receptions, 133 yards and 2 touchdowns. Karl Joseph looked lost out there and didn’t offer much help in the run game either. If the plan was to play him in hope of finding a trade partner, that plan backfired because he showed absolutely no value. Erik Harris played well but Gilcrest missed a tackle on the Doyle TD and Eric Ebron’s presence was felt on a 20 yard touchdown pass.
Our Linebackers had no answer for the running game as Marlon Mack and Nyheim Hines ran through and around us. Tarik Whitehead isn’t the answer and Marquell Lee cannot do it all by himself. Wilber is 29 and is average at best but can serve as plug and play, backup.
Look, it’s going to take 2-3 years to rebuild this defense so be patient Raider Nation.
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