Tag: Divine Deablo

Busters for Raiders Week 9 loss to Bengals

Those who had the roughest outing in the Raiders big loss in Cincinnati.

Over a ten minute stretch from the end of the second quarter to midway through the third quarter, the Bengals left the Raiders in the dust. What was a 10-10 tie because a 31-10 Bengals lead and they pretty much never looked back. Next thing you knew it, it was a 41-17 game and coaches’ heads were rolling before the night was up.

Busters

LB Divine Deablo

Tight ends have been gouging the Raiders of late. Opponents are realizing that’s one of their weaknesses and they’re exploiting it. Mike Gesicki alone had five catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns.

Often times it was Deablo who they went after for those catches. But that wasn’t the only area Deablo struggled in this one.

The Bengals’ first drive went for a touchdown. At one point, on three consecutive plays, Deablo gave up either the catch or run for 27 yards to put them at the Vegas 33. The second TD drive came in the final three minutes of the first half and it was Deablo who gave up the TD catch from ten yards out.

First drive of the third quarter saw the Bengals drive for another TD. Deablo missed a tackle on a 21-yard run early in the drive, then in first and goal at the seven, he was out of position on a five yard run, and two plays later gave up another touchdown catch.

LB Robert Spillane

Kudos to him for playing through his injury, but he doesn’t look right out there. Just like last week, he’s still making some tackles. They’re just several yards down the field. And he’s having more troubling fighting through blocks and cutting quickly.

The Bengals’ second scoring drive, he gave up the two biggest plays on the drive — an 18-yard catch and a 12-yard catch and run where he missed the tackle. Then the first play of the third quarter, he had Joe Burrow dead to rights on the blitz and missed the tackle to give up an 11-yard scramble instead.

He finished with seven combine tackles, which was his second lowest total of the season and had just one solo tackle.

WR DJ Turner

Even with the Bengals scoring to end the first half and to begin the third quarter, it was still a two-score game. Then Turner lined up in the backfield to take the handoff and fumbled it. The Bengals recovered it at the Vegas 21 and drive for another touchdown. Dagger.

T Thayer Munford

What Troy Hendrickson did to him in this game was sickening. Henderickson finished the game with a single game career -high four sacks. And three of those came from the left side while Munford was in the game.

It may be considered cruel to call Munford out considering he was pressed into left tackle duties after Kolton Miller and Andrus Peat both went down with injuries. But, I am not here to give consideration to such things. He got embarrassed in this one. Enough so that you realize why he is the third string left tackle and not the primary backup. We’re talking about the season opening starting right tackle here too.

HC Antonio Pierce, OC Luke Getsy, DC Patrick Graham

No coach is safe from criticism here. And not just because it was a bad game and we’re spreading around blame liberally. But because they each had their very specific issues.

The offense once again dried up after the opening drive. Just a few days after Getsy took exception to the term “scripted drive”. And probably about the time the Raiders plane landed in Vegas, he was no long employed by them.

Even still, the Raiders were down just one score in the final seconds of the first half and driving. But in third and four from the 48, after Getsy called a doomed screen, they are in prime position to go for it on fourth down. Just 17 seconds left and about five yards away from Daniel Carlson field goal range. Instead Pierce showed no aggressive and a complete lack of faith in his offense and his defense by sending out the punt team. There was nothing to gain from that decision and almost everything to lose.

If you are worried you won’t make it and the Bengals would drive into field goal range, then you think they can just easily to that anyway, so what’s even the point? Otherwise, you just go down fighting. You don’t give up. Before halftime, the Raiders gave up.

As for Graham and this defense…the Bengals scored on every one of their first five possessions; four of which were touchdowns. And far too many times, there were wide open receivers. Whether it be backs squirting out of the backfield with no one around, tight ends finding huge soft spots in the zone, or running backs finding gaping holes for chunk plays. This defense is a shell of what it looked like when it found inspiration late last season.

See the Ballers

Ballers for Raiders Week 6 loss vs Steelers

Those who deserve the credit for playing well and the blame for the collapse.

You will rarely see a game where a team couldn’t get out of their own way quite the way the Raiders did on Sunday against the Steelers. There were some good performances in the game, but they were overshadowed by all the mistakes. And often times those mistakes literally wiped away those plays.

As always (or usually) we hand out the credit to those who played well before we get to those who tore it all down.

Ballers

LB Divine Deablo

Divine was feeling it in his first game back off injury, making plays all over the field. It was a tackle for loss on a catch in the flat that was the key play to end the Steelers’ first drive and force them to settle for a field goal. Then in the second quarter, he blew up a trick play and Justin Fields with it for a 13-yard loss that took them out of Vegas territory and ultimately ended the drive.

It was still a 7-6 Raiders lead late in the second quarter. A turnover gave the Steelers the ball on the Vegas 30-yard-line. But two plays later, Deablo picked off a pass over the middle to get the Raiders the ball back. At least for an instant he did. A roughing the passer penalty wiped it away and the Steelers kept the ball. They would ultimately get the touchdown, but on the two-point conversion, there was Diablo to knock it down to keep the score at 12-7 at the half.

Diablo would finish with six tackles, two for a loss, a sack, a QB hit, and a pass breakup (which he wasn’t credited for because it was on a two-point conversion).

DE Maxx Crosby

Early in the second quarter, the Steelers mounted their second scoring drive. But Crosby didn’t make it easy. On the second play, Justin Fields saw Crosby screaming around the right edge off the snap and instantly tucked it and ran for 14 yards. Two plays later, Crosby drew a holding penalty which got eight of those yards back. The Steelers still managed to get a couple catches and a run to make it to the 31. Maxx stopped them there with two pressures leading to incompletions and they settled for a field goal.

The next drive, Crosby would draw another holding penalty. Two plays later he would get another pressure to force an incompletion. Three plays later they punted it away.

Early in the fourth quarter, with the score still 22-7, Crosby filled his gap, leading to a tackle for loss, and blew up another run in the backfield for a loss. They couldn’t get it back and punted. He finished with a half sack, three QB hits, and two tackles for loss and affected the game even more than the stats showed.

TE Brock Bowers

The Raiders drove for a touchdown on their opening drive and the offense went through Bowers to do it. He laid a key block on a seven-yard run. Two plays later he caught an eight-yard pass. Next play he blocked on a nine-yard run. And finally, on second and goal from the two, Bowers cleared the path for the touchdown run.

To lead out the third quarter, Bowers made ten-yard catch followed by a nice catch for 18 yards on a ball thrown behind him while he was running right to left. Unfortunately that catch was wiped away by a holding penalty on Andre James.

Even without that catch, Bowers led the team with nine catches for 71 yards.

Honorable Mention

RB Alexander Mattison — Had 19 touches (5 receptions) for 65 yards and a touchdown. And had a second touchdown called back by a very suspect illegal man down field penalty.

Continue to the Busters…

Raiders PFF grades: 5 highest rated Week 6 vs. Steelers

The Raiders suffered a blowout defeat vs. the Steelers but some players graded well according to Pro Football Focus.

The Raiders suffered yet another blowout defeat this week, this time at home against the Steelers. Handing quarterback Aidan O’Connell the keys to the offense didn’t help, and conservative play calling, turnovers, and penalties sealed Las Vegas’ fate.

But some players still had good days. Unsurprisingly, the two top-graded players by Pro Football Focus this week play on defense, led by linebacker Divine Deablo’s 88.6 score. Defensive end Maxx Crosby is No. 2 on the list at 84.5.

The Raiders’ top performer on offense is also no surprise. Tight end Brock Bowers continues to impress with his supreme pass-catching and elite run-after-the-catch ability. Plus, he had some good moments blocking.

The Raiders had just 57 rushing yards and struggled on offense overall, but the offensive line held up fairly well after guard Dylan Parham left the game with an injury. Guard Jordan Meredith graded highly after replacing Parham and offensive tackle Kolton Miller landed in the top five for the second consecutive week.

The Steelers offense isn’t special, but the Raiders defense held up well after losing defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to injury. Deablo’s performance helped, and it was nice to see a top defender on the Raiders return with an injury rather than head to the injured reserve or be lost for the season.

It will take a lot more to salvage this Raiders season, however. Coach Antonio Pierce and his staff have injuries and a disgruntled star receiver to deal with, but there are no excuses. They’ll be in dire need of a win this Sunday against the Rams in Los Angeles.

Raiders, Steelers Week 6 injury report: LB Divine Deablo FULL go, in line to start

LB Divine Deablo FULL go, in line to start Week 6 vs Steelers

A mixed bag for the Raiders on their Wednesday injury report. First and foremost, they placed start defensive tackle Christian Wilkins on injured reserve, which is why you won’t see him here. But they also had linebacker Divine Deablo as a full participant for the first time since Week two.

Among those missing from practice Wednesday were WR Davante Adams (hamstrong), DE Maxx Crosby (ankle), TE Michael Mayer (personal), WR Jakobi Meyers (ankle), T Kolton Miller (knee/shoulder), G Jackson Powers-Johnson (knee), and RB Zamir White (groin).

Those missing due to injury for the Steelers included S Domontae Kazee (ankle), LB Nick Herbig (hamstring), LB Alex Highsmith (groin), and WR/KR Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle).

Raiders, Broncos final Week 5 injury report: Maxx Crosby Questionable

Maxx Crosby Questionable on Raiders injury report

Finally some good news on the Raiders injury report. After seeing their already lengthy list of injured players who missed practice get even longer on Thursday, Friday brought the return of some key players to practice along with the chance that they are able to play Sunday in Denver.

Most notable, of course, being Maxx Crosby who returned from his ankle injury Friday and is officially Questionable for the game.

Also returning to practice Friday after missing the first two practices of the week were LB Divine Deablo, G Dylan Parham, WR Tyreik McAllister, and LB Kana’i Mauga. All of whom are officially Questionable for the game.

Those officially out include WR Davante Adams (hamstrong), T Thayer Munford (knee/ankle), CB DeCamerion Richardson (hamstring), TE Michael Mayer (personal), S Trey Taylor (knee), RB Zamir White (groin), and LB Luke Masterson (knee).

Replacing Munford at RT will be rookie DJ Glaze. Replacing TE Michael Mayer will be Harrison Bryant. Replacing WR Davante Adams is Tre Tucker. Replacing LB Luke Masterson is Tommy Eichenberg.

Out for the Broncos is RB Tyler Badie (back).

Raiders, Broncos Week 5 injury report: Maxx Crosby among 8 Raiders starters missing

Maxx Crosby, Kolton Miller among 8 Raiders starters who missed practice Wednesday

Quite an injury report for the Raiders heading into Week five for the Raiders. In total they were missing ten players, eight of whom are starters.

Among those not practicing for the Raiders are starters WR Davante Adams (hamstring), TE Michael Mayer (personal), T Kolton Miller (knee/shoulder), T Thayer Munford, G Dylan Parham (Achilles), DE Maxx Crosby (ankle), and LB Divine Deablo (oblique).

Limited were RB Zamir White (groin), LB Luke Masterson (knee), and S Isaiah Pola-Mao (personal).

Several of these players missed Sunday’s game against the Browns including Adams, Mayer, Munford, Crosy, and Deablo.

Raiders Week 4 inactives vs Browns: Maxx Crosby not suiting up

Maxx Crosby not suiting up for Raiders vs Browns after being listed as Doubtful for the game

With the way the injury report was looking, you knew a few names who would be showing up among the inactives for this game.

LB Divine Deablo
WR Davante Adams
CB Decamerion Richardson
LB Kana’i Mauga
T Thayer Munford
TE Michael Mayer
DE Maxx Crosby

One of the names that had everyone wondering a bit was Maxx Crosby. Despite head coach Antonio Pierce announcing him as OUT for the game, he showed up on the injury report as Doubtful.

Some might remember him showing up as Doubtful for a game last season and still playing. That game he literally ended up in the hospital with a knee injury, but still took the field.

Not this time, however. His high ankle sprain is just too limiting and the Raiders sat him down to recover.

With so many injuries to starters, some guys will make their debut including RB Dylan Laube and WR/KR Tyreik McAllister.

Raiders, Browns Week 4 final injury report: Both teams missing several key starters

The Raiders and Browns are both literally limping into their Week 4 matchup Sunday.

Injuries are hitting both the Raiders and the Browns hard this week. The two teams are quite literally limping into their Week four matchup in Las Vegas on Sunday. With both teams set to be without key starters.

https://twitter.com/LeviDamien/status/1839774633245192249

The Raiders have four players officially ruled OUT for the game — WR Davante Adams (hamstring), TE Michael Mayer (personal), LB Divine Deablo (oblique), and CB DeCamerion Richardson (hamstring).

DE Maxx Crosby (ankle), and T Thayer Munford (ankle/knee) are officially listed as Doubtful after head coach Antonio Pierce said in his morning press conference both would be OUT for the game.

Questionable for the Raiders are RB Ameer Abdullah (back) and LB Kana’i Mauga (calf).

The Browns also have four players listed as OUT — T Jack Conklin (hamstring), TE David Njoku (ankle), RB Pierre Strong (hamstring), and T Jedrick Wills (knee).

Questionable is LB Jordan Hicks (ribs/elbow).

DE Myles Garrett missed the first practice this week, but has since practice full and was removed from the injury report.

String of injuries instantly flips Raiders from favorites to underdogs vs Browns

In a matter of moments, Raiders went from favorites to underdogs vs Browns

Antonio Pierce took to the podium Friday and in a matter of moments sent a shockwave through the oddsmakers. All with one word — OUT.

Pierce was asked about the game status for several Raiders starters for Sunday’s game against the Browns. His response each time?…

Maxx Crosby? OUT

Davante Adams? OUT

Michael Mayer? OUT

Divine Deablo? OUT

Thayer Munford? OUT

The Raiders opened this week as two-point favorites over the Browns. And in with Pierce’s announcement, the oddsmakers flipped it to the Browns being favored by 1.5 points.

The week started with both teams missing their best player and elite edge rushers. While Crosby was nursing an ankle injury, he was expected to play just as he always has. But he will end up missing the first game of his career.

Meanwhile the Browns started the week with Myles Garrett missing practice only to get him back the next day and they expect him to play Sunday.

Add Davante’s sudden hamstring injury and scratch and there’s your 3.5-point swing right there.

See: 5 Raiders who will attempt to fill the shoes of Crosby and other missing starters

5 Raiders who will attempt to fill shoes of Maxx Crosby and other missing starters vs Browns

Some players are simply not replaceable. Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams are two such players. But the Raiders are in the position right now where they have no choice but to try and replace their roles in the lineup because both stars are OUT for …

Some players are simply not replaceable. Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams are two such players. But the Raiders are in the position right now where they have no choice but to try and replace their roles in the lineup because both stars are OUT for Sunday’s game against the Browns.

Here are the players who will be asked to step up in the absence of the missing Raiders starters.

Replacing: Davante Adams (hamstring)

When the Raiders want to make a play downfield, they usually look to either Davante Adams or Tre Tucker. The two are very different kinds of receivers, but in their own ways are capable of being a deep threat for this team. Tucker does it with pure speed. Adams does it was route running and savvy.

It doesn’t matter how it happens, it just has to happen. Or at least the threat of it must be there. Tucker has been the third receiver on this team all season, behind Adams and Jakobi Meyers. Now Tucker will step up and start on the outside, attempting to fill the void left by Adams’s absence.

Stepping up to fill the shoes of Tucker in the slot will be DJ Turner.

Replacing: Michael Mayer (personal)

Mayer has been a co-starter this season along with rookie Brock Bowers. He’s also been the primary blocking tight end. Harrison Bryant has been the third tight end on this team this season, though he’s only played 14 snaps on offense. The former Browns tight end was a priority free agent signing this offseason, and initially was expected to be the team’s number two tight end. That was until they had Brock Bowers fall into their lap in the draft and the team made other plans.

Replacing: Thayer Munford (knee/ankle)

Munford was lost on the second snap of last Sunday’s game and didn’t return. Coming in for him was DJ Glaze. The third round rookie had impressed in camp and was considered a viable option to step in at right tackle right away. And just two games into the season, that’s what he was asked to do. He played well in his debut last Sunday. He will be asked to do it again.

Replacing: Maxx Crosby (ankle)

Replacing might not be the right word here. No one is replacing Crosby on this team. He is the heart, soul, and motor of this Raiders defense. We saw that last week when his ankle had him not quite himself and missing quite a few snaps. As a result, Andy Dalton had a field day and the Raiders gave up 36 points to the Panthers.

Wilson’s 34 snaps (46%) was second among edge rushers as they mixed it up with Janarius Robinson, Charles Snowden, and Amari Gainer all getting a fair amount of snaps as well. The only edge rusher who was in the game on each of the 13 snaps Crosby missed was Wilson. Expect him to lead the edge rushers in snaps in this game with a healthy rotation to keep everyone fresh. I would also expect to see practice squad DE K’Lavon Chaisson activated and in that rotation.

Replacing: Divine Deablo (oblique)

Masterson started last Sunday’s game in place of Deablo as well. So, expect that to continue. The Raiders have a lot of linebackers on this team, but it’s really a matter of quantity more than quality. Most are relegated to special teams. The only ones who saw snaps last week other than the starters were Amari Gainer (10 snaps) and Tommy Eichenberg (five snaps).

Eichenberg is considered a middle linebacker, but with Robert Spillane playing every snap, the rookie was asked to play outside linebacker for his five snaps in the game. And Gainer spent all ten of his snaps lined up at edge rusher.