Monday night the Raiders won the turnover battle 3-1. Not only was it not enough to win them the game, but it even the +2 turnover differential wasn’t enough to pull them up from dead last in the NFL in the category.
This season, the Raiders have turned the ball over 16 times — 13 interceptions and three fumbles. Meanwhile they have taken the ball away just eight times — six interceptions, two forced fumbles.
That gives them a -8 turnover differential which is alone in last place across the league.
They didn’t have a forced fumble on the season coming into the game in Detroit and ended up forcing two of them — though one was highly questionable.
Overall, the defense is outplaying the offense and keeping the Raiders in games. It’s the reason the Raiders have three wins despite the offense never breaking 20 points in any game this season. Pierce was asked what he wants from the defense, and he said simply “More. More.”
“We’ve got to create turnovers,” Pierce emphasized. “We’ve got to stop the long drives. Penalties have been the biggest things that have hurt us in those situations. We’ve had great moments, and then we’ve had other moments like what the hell? Just being consistent, first and foremost. Being a defensive player, you stop the run, you build the wall. We make them one-dimensional, and like I tell Maxx, go eat. Go eat. Party at the quarterback, and let’s celebrate and have fun doing it. What I’d like to see those guys keep doing, and Patrick Graham, let loose. Put your ears back, let the dogs loose. When the Raiders are rolling on defense, you guys see it. It comes through the TV. Maxx Crosby’s energy, I’m trying to match his today. I’ve got to match that for the next 10 to 12 weeks.”
On the other side of the ball, Jimmy Garoppolo leads the league with nine interceptions. This despite missing two starts this season.
Pierce announced Garoppolo would be benched in favor of rookie Aidan O’Connell, saying of the rookie “gives us the best chance.”
O’Connell has two interceptions in two appearances this season with one start.
Turnover differential can often be a strong indicator of team success. If you are turning the ball over, you better be making up for it in other areas. As yet, the Raiders have not done that.