Week 2 Notes and Observations: Oakland Raiders vs. Atlanta Falcons

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

Miscellaneous scouting notes and observations following the Oakland Raiders’ Week 2 home loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

The Oakland Raiders came home after a thrilling Week 1 road win over the New Orleans Saints and laid an egg in Week 2, losing 35-28 to the Falcons.

Despite a raucous Black Hole crowd, the Raiders’ defense was a major issue for the second week straight. The Raiders yielded an embarrassing 528 yards of offense and could not get critical stops to win the game.

PFF grades are in and power ratings are already out. This is not a good week for these measures, especially for those playing defense. While the offense has continued to hold its own, Derek Carr and his mates can only carry the team so far on one side. The defense must improve. Additionally, after a good Week 1, the Raiders’ special teams fell flat in Week 2, contributing to the loss.

Here are various notes and observations from the home opener, including all areas of the game — offense, defense, and special teams.

Sep 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back DeAndre Washington (33) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Offense – The Good

1. The Offensive Line

For the second week in a row, the much ballyhooed Raiders’ offensive line lived up to its end of the bargain. Right tackle Austin Howard returned from a camp knee injury to earn the start and played all 75 offensive snaps for the Silver & Black. He performed admirably and led the way in keeping Carr upright. Carr was “sacked” just one time on a roll out scramble that netted zero yards.

Center Rodney Hudson also logged all 75 offensive snaps. Guards Gabe Jackson and Kelechi Osemele played 74 snaps each and led a run game that piled up 155 yards on the ground at a strong 6.2 clip per carry. After two games, the addition of the rugged and versatile Osemele is showing a good return.

The other tackle spot was manned for 74 snaps by stalwart Donald Penn. He came out for one play after getting his ankle rolled on the dirt infield, but as usual showed toughness to return after just one snap. Penn did not miss a start in any game from 2008 through 2015. Raiders’ coaches, players and fans all hope to see that streak continue in 2016.

Heading into Week 3, the Raiders’ o-line can be considered an established team strength.

2. The Backfield

Once again, Derek Carr showed immense ability in guiding the Raiders’ offense down the field. The third-year QB did not turn over the ball for the second straight game. Carr moved the chains and completed 34 of 45 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns through the air. As long as Carr plays as he has the first two games, the Raiders’ offense will keep the team in the vast majority of games.

Carr was joined in the backfield by a now-established new committee of RBs. Latavius Murray remains the lead back, with 36 of the 75 snaps. Murray ran eight times for an impressive 57 yards (7.1 YPC) and a bullish short TD, caught eight passes for another 44 yards, and helped keep Carr upright in pass pro. Murray looked fresh and ran hard, with improved vision. The reduced workload appears to be helping Murray’s efficiency.

The committee that joined Murray included Jamize Olawale logging 26 snaps, Jalen Richard logging 16, and DeAndre Washington seeing 15 reps. Washington was the most productive complementary back on this day, with seven carries for 46 yards and an additional six yards on a pass catch.

Richard did not catch the same lightning in a bottle he showed in New Orleans, as he ran for just 17 yards on six carries. Richard was also stopped short on a critical 4th & 2 run late in the game. Head coach Jack Del Rio indicated regret that one of the bigger backs, Murray or Olawale, did not get that carry.

Overall, the backs showed ability to move the chains. Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave must continue to focus on putting each back in the best situation to utilize his respective talents.

3. Passing Targets

Despite the 299 yards and three TDs through the air, the Falcons actually did well slowing the Raiders’ wide outs. Budding star wide receiver Amari Cooper was isolated with cornerback Desmond Trufant most of the day. In Cooper’s 69 snaps, he was targeted nine times and caught five balls for 71 yards. Still a decent day for the second-year wide out, but not a big game.

Cooper had a late TD washed away due to being forced out of bounds on a Carr roll out. Amari got back in bounds, but the force out was not illegal due to the roll out, and Cooper was called for illegal touching.

The other starting wide receiver, Michael Crabtree, played 57 snaps and saw just five targets. The targets resulted in five catches for 31 yards and a TD. With Cooper seeing the #1 CB most weeks, it behooves the Raiders to get Crabtree involved early to move the chains and keep defenses from tilting too far towards Cooper.

The breakout player on offense this week was second-year tight end Clive Walford. Clive saw 47 snaps and seven targets. The targets yielded a nice six catch, 50-yard outing, with a long TD to boot. Clive becoming a third viable option from multiple looks would help the offense continue to expand.

Dec 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Taiwan Jones (22) warms up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Special Teams – The Bad

1. Punt Coverage

The Raiders continued to see booming punts from young punter Marquette King. However, poor coverage resulted in a 73 yard return by the Falcons’ Eric Weems that set up an Atlanta field goal. A great play by King to hawk Weems saved four points. The breakaway play is unacceptable, however, especially for a team who has invested so many roster spots on coverage players (Trawick, Bates, Jones, etc.)

2. Missed Field Goal Prior to Half

The Raiders also saw a missed kick from Sebastian Janikowski to end the half. The kick was from the dirt infield, the snap was a bit low, and the ball barely made the endzone. It was a deflating way to end the half.

3. Taiwan Jones

Jones is on the roster at this point purely for special teams ability. On Sunday, he did not even provide that. Back to return a kickoff, Jones muffed the ball in the endzone, and the Raiders had to scramble to get on the ball on the TWO yard line.

The over/under for any kickoff return is now the 25 with the new touch back rule. The muff resulted in a 23 yard loss based on this par value. That can’t happen. Jalen Richard should be back there at this time.

Dec 6, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders inside linebacker Ben Heeney (51) celebrates after a sack against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Defense – The Ugly

1. Secondary Not Getting It Done

For the second week in a row, it was ugly on defense — another 500+ yards, another 34+ points allowed. The Falcons utilized a variety of targets, notably tight ends Austin Hooper and Jacob Tamme. These two combined for 159 yards. That is not acceptable.

The tight end coverage was poor all game, with Keith McGill notably looking slow and tired. McGill led all defenders with 73 total snaps played, and he played poorly. There is no reason for him to be on the field that much when rookie first-round pick Karl Joseph and veteran Nate Allen are on the sideline. McGill should see less PT going forward, and JDR already hinted that Joseph will see more time.

Falcons’ beast WR Julio Jones was contained for some of the game, but eventually broke out for five catches for 106 yards and a TD. While the coverage outside was not as bad as the Saints game, that is not a high bar.

Sean Smith, benched in NO, returned to play all 64 snaps. He played marginally better, but still needs to improve to justify the large deal he received this offseason. Having watched film of Smith from his time in KC, this is not currently the same player.

Additional offseason free-agent signing Reggie Nelson also played all 64 snaps and had his share of coverage gaffes as well. However, Nelson did play his part in the run game and led the team with 12 total tackles. With that being said, having your free safety secure 12 tackles is never a good sign for the defense.

David Amerson was the lone bright spot in DB coverage, as he picked Matt Ryan in the endzone. Unfortunately, Amerson left the game late with an apparent concussion. It is unknown what his status will be for Tennessee.

2. Inside Backers

The Raiders’ starting inside LBs of Malcolm Smith and Ben Heeney have looked over matched vs. both the run and the pass thus far in 2016. Smith played all 64 snaps, while Heeney played 55 and was eventually replaced by rookie Cory James. The ILB position has been a notable hole in the Raiders’ roster for some time.

While Reggie McKenzie has put together a good foundation, he has not put a good ILB corps on the field. Considering the GM, HC and DC are all former NFL LBs, maybe they thought they could manufacture ILB play. So far, that has been a swing and miss.

The Raiders ILBs will be tested further in Tennessee by the 1-2 punch of DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry. These two gashed the Raiders in the third preseason game. This is clearly an issue. Expect to see James play more in week 3. With an open roster spot (Raiders currently stand at 52), it would stand to reason that additional competition at ILB would make sense.

3. D-Line

The day was hot, the Raiders wore black, and, to be frank, it looked like most of the front players went out late the night before the game. Matt Ryan had plenty of time, the Falcons OL and RBs gashed the Raiders in the run game, and the vaunted pass rush never came together.

Snap counts don’t even matter for this one. This one is about effort. The Raiders DL lacked it Sunday and the result showed. At this time, young Raiders’ captain Khalil Mack needs to get on his defensive brethren and demand a higher level of accountability. The coaches need to do the same. Without a better effort up front vs. Tennessee, it will be another ugly outing for the Raiders’ defense.

Oakland Raiders Week 2 Conclusion

The 2016 Oakland Raiders played horribly on defense in their home opener in front of a loud crowd. After a gutsy Week 1 win on the road, to lay an egg at home is not acceptable. The coaching staff and players must figure out what is going wrong both in terms of weekly preparation and discipline, as well as the on field assignment and effort. It all goes hand-in-hand.

Without a significant improvement on defense, the Raiders will lose a winnable game in Tennessee. The question is, will the defense finally show up?

See you here next Tuesday for notes on what is hopefully a return to the win column for the 2016 Silver & Black.