PFF Recap: Grading the Oakland Raiders in Week 15

Reaction and analysis to Pro Football Focus grades of the Oakland Raiders in Week 15.

The Oakland Raiders (11-3) received high praise after clinching their first playoff berth since 2002 with their 19-16 win over the San Diego Chargers (5-9) at Qualcomm Stadium on Sunday.

With the help of ProFootballFocus.com, we take an in-depth look at who specifically deserves high praise on the Raiders’ roster after the team’s win in Week 15.

Dec 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders linebacker Malcolm Smith (53) celebrates after a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers during a NFL football game at Qualcomm Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders’ inside linebackers step up

Raiders inside linebackers Perry Riley Jr. and Malcolm Smith have struggled to maintain a strong, solid front at the center of Oakland’s defense against some of the better rushing attacks in the NFL, but the two came together and collectively formed a brick wall on Sunday.

Riley and Smith earned 83.4 and 84.0 single-game grades, respectively, against the Chargers, per PFF.com.

The two linebackers combined for 10 tackles and one tackle for loss, as they played a pivotal role in limiting the Chargers’ ground game. Chargers rookie running back Kenneth Farrow and veteran Ronnie Hillman combined for 22 carries and 73 yards on the ground. Farrow, an undrafted rookie out of the University of Houston, led the charge with 15 carries for 39 yards (2.6 yards per carry).

The Raiders’ defense ranks 26th against the run in terms of yards allowed per game (116.9) and 29th in yards allowed per carry (4.9). Riley and Smith’s performances played a key role in Oakland keeping San Diego from reaching those season averages.

Dec 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (99) looks across the line during the third quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Donald Penn leads Raiders’ offensive line

Raiders left tackle Donald Penn was pitted against two of the best edge-rushers in the NFL in Chargers defensive ends Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, and as expected, he outperformed his competition.

Penn earned the Raiders’ top offensive grade at 79.1, per PFF.com.

To put into perspective who Penn was battling in the trenches, this is what Ingram did to Raiders right tackle Austin Howard in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s affair.

#Chargers Melvin Ingram (@MelvinIngram; #Gamecocks) beats the over-setting OL with a club under move for the sack pic.twitter.com/A6H2u3NgeE

— DLineVids ???????? (@DLineVids) December 19, 2016

Oakland’s offensive line allowed just 10 pressures and two sacks against the Chargers, and Howard accounted for five of the pressures and both sacks.

Penn’s unmatched consistency at the position is paying dividends down the stretch, especially with Howard still spinning his way into defenders in pass protection.

Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oakland Raiders safety Nate Allen (20) reacts against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Nate Allen solidifies his spot on defense

Raiders safety Nate Allen was limited to special teams prior to rookie Karl Joseph going down with a toe injury in the Raiders’ Week 13 win over the Buffalo Bills. Now seeing snaps on the defensive side of the ball, Allen has flourished in Joseph’s absence.

Allen earned the Raiders’ third-best defensive grade (78.2) filling in for Joseph against Buffalo, led the team with 11 combined tackles against the Kansas City Chiefs in the following week, and again received high praise from PFF.com in his second consecutive start against the Chargers.

The seven-year veteran received an 83.8 overall grade, which ranked third among the Raiders’ defenders. He also contributed five combined tackles and a pass deflection.

Even when Joseph makes his return to the field, he should split reps with Allen given his play in recent weeks.

Dec 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) works against San Diego Chargers tackle Joe Barksdale (72) during the second quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Khalil Mack misses record, stays strong

Raiders defensive end Kahlil Mack entered Sunday’s game with his sights set on making history, as he was just one sack away from having an NFL-record nine consecutive games with a sack. Though he failed to etch his name in the record books, he did leave his mark.

Raiders outside linebacker Bruce Irvin took home the glory with two sacks against the Chargers’ offensive line, but Mack quietly had himself a “complete game.”

“While Irvin shined in pass-rush, fellow edge rusher Khalil Mack had an absolutely complete game, as he was disruptive and unstoppable against the run just as much as he was when rushing the passer,” John Breitenbach said, per PFF.com. “Although Mack did not record a sack against San Diego, he did lead the Oakland defense with nine total pressures.”

Mack earned the Raiders’ top defensive grade at 88.2 and still stands as the top-ranked edge-rusher in the NFL.

Though he registered just four combined tackles and two quarterback hits, Mack undoubtedly maintained his lead in the Defensive Player of the Year race with his performance against the Chargers.