Prior to the Raiders crucial win over the Broncos, we detailed the five keys to making it a winnable game. These are those five keys and how the Raiders did in covering them.
1. Play a full game – CHECK
The most common theme in the first three games was the Raiders playing well for exactly half the game. Sometimes it was the first half and sometimes it was the second. Against the Broncos they started strong and kept it going to the end.
The scored first to go up 3-0 on the opening drive. They went back up to start the second quarter with their first touchdown to lead 10-7. And they added a field goal in the final seconds of the second quarter to head into the half up 19-16.
They didn’t relinquish the lead after that, extending their lead to 25-16 before ultimately putting the game out of reach at 32-23.
2. Get the ball to Davante Adams — CHECK
Though Carr didn’t connect with Adams on any deep shots, he got the ball in his hands ten times, including nine catches for 101 yards — his biggest output since the opener.
Adams had catches on five of the Raiders’ seven scoring drives and four of the team’s ten longest plays from scrimmage (20, 17, 16, 13).
3. Chandler Jones needs to show up — SORTA
Jones was once again held without a sack. Though Garrett Bolles was twice flagged for holding on him. So, that’s something, right?
Maxx Crosby was certainly doing work on the other side, putting up two sacks, two QB hits, and four tackles for loss. So, Russell Wilson was under pressure from at least one side.
4. Force turnovers — CHECK
Not only did the Raiders force a turnover, Amik Robertson took the fumble and returned it for a touchdown. You can’t overstate the importance of that play when you consider how hard it typically is to score against that Broncos defense.
5. Run the ball — CHECK
The Raiders ran it 38 times with 30 of those runs going to the backs. Most importantly, they didn’t abandon it in the second half. Actually, they ran it more in the second half (21) than they did in the first half (17).
Running the ball well was how they beat the Broncos last season. And just like that win late last season, Josh Jacobs carried the team to a win. He tied a career-high (129 yards) with his performance last season, and set a new career-high (144 yards) this time. It’s a good formula.
How do they keep it going?
That’s the question for sure. Because next up is the Chiefs, making these keys that much more difficult to reach.
While they can’t always use the same formula for every opponent, several of these keys are something they must strive to reach every game.
They very much must play a full game on both sides of the ball against the Chiefs. There is no question about that. Any let up will either lead to a big hole they can’t dig out of or a collapse late. They did both in the first three games.
They also must get the ball into the hands of Davante Adams. He is their best player. I would add that Carr must connect with him deep. Though the two connected nine times against the Broncos, those were all back shoulder and comeback routes. That won’t cut it against the Chiefs. Gotta break things open and that means when Adams gets behind the defender — and he will — to get the ball to him.
Can this team hold off the Chiefs offense without contributions from Chandler Jones? Maxx Crosby is good, but if Pat Mahomes and the Chiefs simply key on stopping him, that could lead to a lot of extended plays. That’s how Mahomes will gut you.
Turnover differential is always key. The defensive TD against the Broncos was the biggest swing in momentum last week. Mahomes has only lost once to the Raiders in his career. He’s thrown three career interceptions vs the Raiders and one of them came in that game.
No team is better against the run than the Chiefs. They are much more vulnerable against the pass. So, that just means putting greater emphasis on the Raiders getting the ball to their weapons in the passing game. It starts with Adams, but it also means getting back on the same page with Darren Waller, and getting Hunter Renfrow involved when he returns from injury.
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