PFF Recap: Grading the Oakland Raiders in Week 12

Reaction and analysis to Pro Football Focus grades of the Oakland Raiders in Week 12.

The Oakland Raiders (9-2) took care of business at home against the visiting Carolina Panthers (4-7) in a game that many thought could cause the Silver and Black some trouble, ultimately besting the Panthers, 35-32.

Though this game wasn’t without its fair share of concern and disorder, the Raiders dulled the Panthers’ claws when it mattered most.

Here’s an in-depth look at how ProFootballFocus.com graded the Raiders in their fifth consecutive win this season.

November 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks for a receiver against the Carolina Panthers during the third quarter at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Panthers 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Carr Edges Panthers’ Defense by Just a Pinky

Raiders third-year quarterback Derek Carr has single-handedly propelled the Raiders to their first winning season in 14 years due in large part to his ability to remain poised and will his team back from fourth-quarter deficits.

The comeback kid continued to silence his critics against Carolina, solidifying himself as the only Raiders quarterback to orchestrate five fourth-quarter comebacks in a single season.

Though he did cough up an interception in the third quarter, Carr earned a pass grade of 77.1 from PFF.com because of his efforts late in the contest.

Carr struggled significantly when under pressure and made a poor decision on a zone read option, pushing his overall single-game grade down to 66.3. However, he appeared unstoppable when awarded proper pass protection.

Regardless of his overall grade, Carr faced early adversity with the injury to his pinky and his poor interception, but he refused to let said obstacles obscure his vision.

With the help of his offensive line, Carr barely missed a beat after returning to the field with a glove covering his injured throwing hand, and as the Raiders inch closer to the first playoff birth since 2001, his play against the Panthers will stand out when voters are considering his MVP candidacy.

November 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders tight end Clive Walford (88) catches a touchdown against Carolina Panthers outside linebacker A.J. Klein (56, left) and free safety Tre Boston (33, right) during the fourth quarter at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Panthers 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Clive Walford Comes Up Big in the Clutch

Raiders second-year tight end Clive Walford has been buried beneath slew of negative comments regarding his development due to injuries and inconsistent hands. However, he finally shoveled away some of the dirt with two career-defining catches late in Sunday’s game.

Walford, a former third-round pick out of the University of Miami (Fla.), earned his highest single-game grade of the season with his performance against Carolina, pulling the highest overall grade (82.2) among all of the Raiders’ offensive players.

At face value, Walford’s statistics are average at best, as he hauled in just three receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown, but it was when he caught his passes that mattered most.

Walford brought in back-to-back passes in the fourth quarter to pull the Raiders back into the game after they allowed 25 unanswered points, as he caught a key first down reception on 3rd and 11 and a 12-yard touchdown pass just one play later.

On the touchdown, Walford beat Panthers linebacker A.J. Klein in the air to attack the ball at its highest point and ultimately bring in what would be the game-tying score.

With Lee Smith still on the IR and backup offensive linemen Menelik Watson and Denver Kirkland doing very little as receivers, Walford has an opportunity to make a name for himself in this league if he can remain consistent throughout the course of a season.

Until then, Oakland must applaud his efforts in short, unexpected bursts.

Nov 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) is unable to make a catch next to Carolina Panthers cornerback Daryl Worley (26) in the third quarter at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Panthers 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Amari Cooper Struggles Despite Fortuitous Matchups

With Panthers rookie cornerbacks James Bradberry and Daryl Worley lining up outside the hashes, Raiders second-year receiver Amari Cooper was expected to soar past Carolina’s inexperienced secondary, but he failed to even get off the ground.

Cooper, a first-round pick in the 2015 NFL draft, caught just four of seven targets for a season-low 22 yards in Sunday’s game, only one of which coming in the second half.

According to PFF.com, Cooper’s final grade on the day was 51.1.

Though Carr has found ways to spread the ball around to other skill positions (i.e. Jamize Olawale, Mychal Rivera, Jalen Richard) in recent weeks, Oakland’s offense is at its best when both Cooper and veteran receiver Michael Crabtree are playing at a high level.

November 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) passes the football against Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Dan Williams (90) during the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Dan Williams Flashes Former Self

Formerly known as the “Meat” in the Raiders’ interior defensive line duo “Meat and Potatoes,” seventh-year defensive tackle Dan Williams finally put together a performance worthy of the nickname.

In comparison to his vegetarian efforts earlier this season, Williams dominated the Panthers’ interior offensive line, oftentimes closing gaps against the run and pushing the pocket when playing the pass.

The former Tennessee product brought in just two solo tackles and a QB hit, but his presence was unrelenting.

According to PFF.com, Williams earned the fifth-best defensive grade (78.1) among all Raiders defenders.

With second-year defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. still missing practice, Oakland has relied on their rotation at defensive line to produce because they are without a truly dominant defender inside the tackles.

Expecting a season turnaround from him would be too optimistic, but if Williams can continue to make a significant impact on the field, Oakland’s struggling linebackers will have a much easier time flowing to the hole and finding open lanes to the running back.

Williams’ flashes of dominance have Raiders’ fans and analysts alike hoping to see the revival once commanding, beefy interior defender in the center of Oakland’s defense. However, he must prove consistent, or the Raiders will resume their search for other sources of protein.

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