Oakland Raiders: Week 3 Silver Linings, Black Clouds

Sep 25, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans receiver Andre Johnson (81) attempts to catch a pass in front of Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson (29) during the second half at Nissan Stadium. The Raiders won 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland Raiders secured their second win on the road over the Tennessee Titans. Where did the team excel and what areas still need work?

On Sunday, the Oakland Raiders defense sealed a 17-10 victory over the Tennessee Titans, which temporarily cools the fire directed toward Ken Norton. During the first half, the Raiders scored 17 unanswered points after the Titans scored a field goal on the first drive.

Oakland returned to the field and lost focus in the third quarter. Wide receiver Amari Cooper and tight end Clive Walford dropped easy receptions. Head coach Jack Del Rio burned two timeouts early in the quarter to regroup his offense.

The Raiders’ lapses allowed the Titans to tighten the game before the fourth quarter. Running back DeMarco Murray capped an offensive drive with a five-yard touchdown run through a lifeless defense.

Oakland failed to score in the second half, but managed to hang onto a narrow lead due to a late stop in pass coverage. Cornerback D.J. Hayden flashed with a few critical tackles and pass deflections along the way. T.J. Carrie ultimately slammed the door on the Titans’ comeback with solid coverage on wideouts Andre Johnson and Harry Douglas.

Overall, the pass defense vastly improved with safety Karl Joseph in the lineup. He logged 10 tackles in his NFL debut.

Where are the Silver Linings and Black Clouds in Week 3? Let’s find out.

Sep 25, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans receiver Andre Johnson (81) attempts to catch the ball as Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson (29) defends during the second half at Nissan Stadium. The Raiders won 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Silver Lining: David Amerson

The Raiders secondary looked completely different from the past two weeks. The Titans field a less explosive offense, especially without their top receiving target, tight end Delanie Walker. However, cornerback David Amerson put together a sparkling performance on the perimeter. Per Pro Football Focus:

Amerson popped up all over the field and didn’t allow much room for the Titans receivers to accumulate yards after the catch. Last year, he finished with six passes defensed, and he continued his solid play against the Titans on Sunday.

Defensive backs Sean Smith and Reggie Nelson recorded their first interceptions with the team, but Amerson’s activity didn’t need a turnover to validate his Player of the Game-worthy performance.

The Raiders have to feel good about extending Amerson’s contract through the 2020 season, per spotrac.com. Thus far, he’s the No. 1 cornerback on the roster. He’s also living up to earlier lofty expectations coming out of North Carolina State. Since the Washington Redskins released him, he’s experienced a rebirth with the Raiders.

It’s worth monitoring Amerson’s matchup against next week against the Baltimore Ravens. Wideouts Steve Smith Sr. and Mike Wallace have produced in the team’s revamped passing offense. Amerson should pair with the quicker receiver to keep (Sean) Smith out of trouble on slants patterns.

Sep 25, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) gets away from a tackle attempt by Oakland Raiders safety Nate Allen (20) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. The Raiders won 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Black Cloud: Run Defense

The Raiders can’t watch the calendar and wait for defensive end Mario Edwards to return and strengthen the interior defense. Jihad Ward, Denico Autry, and Khalil Mack must improve their ability to set the edge.

At times, DeMarco Murray ran through the front line without breaking a sweat. He finished with 16 carries for 114 yards and a touchdown as a ball-carrier. Last year, after the first two games, the Raiders held the following five opponents under 100 rushing yards. This year, after Week 1, Oakland has allowed yards in chunks on the ground, surrendering 100-plus rushing yards in the last two outings.

Titans’ second-round pick Derrick Henry logged his best game as a pro against the Raiders. He averaged 4.5 yards per carry with 10 rush attempts for 45 yards. He also dumped Ward to the ground on a power run up the middle.

It’s alarming to see how one player, Edwards, changes the complexion of the defensive front. The Raiders managed to render some teams one-dimensional during the previous season with a stout run defense. With holes up front, opposing offenses can keep Norton’s defense guessing, which potentially leads to chunk plays downfield.

With Edwards out for at least eight games, Ward must grow up quickly as a 4-3 defensive tackle or 3-4 defensive end. Autry has pass-rush potential, but he’s typically been a liability in run defense.

Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oakland Raiders guard Vadal Alexander (74) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Silver Lining: Offensive Line Depth

Menelik Watson suffered another minor setback with a lower leg, per the team’s official Twitter handle. The fourth-year right tackle didn’t take kindly to the criticism received after walking off the field for treatment:

In four years, he’s only played 19 games, which explains his frustrations. Watson could miss some time, but the severity of the injury remains unclear.

Nonetheless, rookie Vadal Alexander entered the game and didn’t miss beat in Watson’s place. Offensive line coach Mike Tice deserves credit for keeping his guys ready to step in at any given moment. Watson, Austin Howard, and Alexander have all played well on the perimeter at right tackle this year.

The offensive line depth bodes well for the ground attack and quarterback Derek Carr, who’s taken one sack for the season. The Raiders envisioned Alexander as utility lineman capable of playing inside and outside. Despite struggling at tackle during training camp and preseason, he showed improvement in a small sample against the Titans.

It’s a mystery as to who lines up at right tackle against the Ravens next week. Though, whoever plays the position should fare well. Baltimore has applied more pocket pressure up the middle as opposed to the edges.

Sep 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) stands on the field before the start of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Black Cloud: Khalil Mack

We’ll finally the address the 6-3, 252-pound elephant in the room. Khalil Mack started the year as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in many NFL discussion circles. Carr joked about the Raiders pass-rusher tallying 30 sacks this year, per NFL.com’s Adam Schein.

Le’ts forget the 30 sacks marker for Mack going forward. We’re still waiting for the first quarterback takedown. He’s pressuring the pocket, but he’s often a step too late or bites on a read-option or a bootleg.

Mack supporters have been slow to criticize the budding pass-rusher, but near-sacks don’t amount to pushing the offense five yards backward with the loss of a down. As the best pass-rusher on the roster, he must break through the double teams and holds that happen on nearly every play to instill his dominance.

Denver Broncos pass-rusher Von Miller and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt likely face double teams and dirty tactics in the trenches. Yet, as premier defenders, they still manage to make impact plays. There’s no excuse for Mack if he’s hellbent on becoming a premier edge-rusher in the league.

Edwards’ return will probably boost Mack’s sacks numbers, but in the meantime, the third-year pro must help himself. The Raiders need his elite run defense and dynamic skill set as a pass-rusher to elevate the defensive line.

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