5 Raiders to watch against the Jaguars

It’s the last Raiders game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum and the home team will do all it can to send its loyal fans home happy.

Much has transpired during the Raiders’ 2019 season: Hard Knocks and the Antonio Brown fiasco, unforeseen roster turnover, blowout losses, winning streaks, record-breaking rookies, an NBA-length road trip, injuries, agony, and triumph.

But this week, none of that matters. It’s the Raiders’ last game at the storied Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, and unlike the previous time the club left, they won’t be coming back. The home team must put on a performance to remember.

Luckily, the Raiders’ opponent, the Jacksonville Jaguars, come into The Coliseum limping, and Oakland is favored. Still, it will take an impressive effort from Jon Gruden’s bunch to reverse their own slide down the standings.

Here are the players to watch as the Raiders say goodbye to the venerable stadium and look to send their loyal fans home happy.

DB Daryl Worley

The Raiders defense simply must play better than they did last week, after allowing the Titans to rack up 500 yards of offense before the fourth quarter even started. The day after the game, coach Gruden said there will be changes on that side of the ball.

For starters, Oakland released safety D.J. Swearinger, who had been with the club just a few weeks. In a related development, cornerback Daryl Worley is expected to log some time at the back end of the defense to make up for Swearinger’s absence.

Worley is a favorite of Gruden’s, due to his willingness to tackle. That will serve him well at safety. Plus, he’ll have plenty of motivation after allowing a 91-yard touchdown reception against the Titans. Watch to see if Worley can bounce back at a new position and help the defense regain its composure.

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Raiders TE Foster Moreau out for season with knee injury

Foster Moreau’s rookie season is over after he suffered a knee injury.

On the first drive of the third quarter, the Raiders lost momentum and their drive stalled just inside Titans’ territory. More importantly, they lost their promising rookie tight end for the season.

Monday, Jon Gruden announced that Foster Moreau’s season is over. The fourth-round pick will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Any time there’s a knee injury like this, especially this late in the season, the worry is that it is serious enough to put next season in doubt as well. Gruden doesn’t think that is the case.

“I don’t think so. Knowing Foster, I don’t believe it will be anything that will keep him out of next year,” said Gruden. “I’m not going to make any predictions. It’s a tough injury, he’s got a lot of rehab ahead and can’t compliment the job he did enough. He came in here as a rookie and played good football for us. He’ll be a big part of the Raiders’ future.”

Moreau suffered the knee injury on a catch during that drive in the third quarter. He was on the sideline where the knee injury happened and was slow to get up. He hobbled over, wincing to the trainer’s table where they examined his knee. Shortly thereafter they ruled him out for the rest of the game.

After the game, Gruden said the injury could potentially be season-ending. Monday he confirmed that early fear.

Moreau caught a touchdown pass earlier in the game, his fifth of the season. He had 21 catches on 25 targets for 174 yards as a rookie. Those numbers aren’t going to turn a lot of heads, but he proved he was a lot more than the supposed blocking tight end he was expected to be.

That leaves Darren Waller and Derek Carrier as the team’s tight ends. Cole Wick was added to the practice squad last week. There are three games remaining this season.

Raiders Week 14 snap counts vs. Titans: How shakeup at WR worked out

The Raiders changed things up at wide receiver, but the impact was minimal.

Last week, Raiders coach Jon Gruden said he would be shaking things up at wide receiver due to a lack of production at the position. The big move was to cut Trevor Davis, who the team had acquired in a midseason trade with the Packers. His absence, as well as that of the injured Hunter Renfrow, would open up opportunities for some of the young receivers on the team to step up.

Starting the game and leading the team in snaps were Tyrell Williams (52) and Zay Jones (53). Williams finished with three catches for 35 yards. Jones had just one catch for 5 yards on three targets.

Third in snaps behind Williams and Jones was Keelan Doss with 28 (44%). He hauled in three catches on three targets for 26 yards.

Getting the start along with Wiliams and Jones was Rico Gafford in his first game since being called up from the practice squad two weeks ago. The speedy receiver figured to take the snaps vacated by Trevor Davis. Gafford would play 12 snaps (9%) with one catch for a wide-open 49-yard touchdown.

Marcell Ateman saw two snaps (3%) to round out the unit.

The shakeup didn’t really change much. The Gafford touchdown catch was a nice moment, but outside of that, the group didn’t produce a whole lot. The rest of them had a combined seven catches for 66 yards.

.	.	Offense	.	Defense	.	Special Tms
Player	Pos	Num	Pct	Num	Pct	Num	Pct
Gabe Jackson	G	63	100%	0	0%	3	11%
Richie Incognito	G	63	100%	0	0%	3	11%
Kolton Miller	T	63	100%	0	0%	3	11%
Brandon Parker	T	63	100%	0	0%	3	11%
Derek Carr	QB	63	100%	0	0%	0	0%
Rodney Hudson	C	63	100%	0	0%	0	0%
Darren Waller	TE	61	97%	0	0%	0	0%
Zay Jones	WR	53	84%	0	0%	0	0%
Tyrell Williams	WR	52	83%	0	0%	0	0%
DeAndre Washington	RB	40	63%	0	0%	0	0%
Keelan Doss	WR	28	44%	0	0%	0	0%
Foster Moreau	TE	26	41%	0	0%	8	29%
Jalen Richard	RB	24	38%	0	0%	9	32%
Rico Gafford	WR	12	19%	0	0%	0	0%
Derek Carrier	TE	8	13%	0	0%	21	75%
Alec Ingold	FB	8	13%	0	0%	13	46%
Marcell Ateman	WR	2	3%	0	0%	9	32%
Denzelle Good	G	1	2%	0	0%	3	11%
Erik Harris	SS	0	0%	62	100%	11	39%
Tahir Whitehead	LB	0	0%	62	100%	0	0%
Daryl Worley	CB	0	0%	60	97%	10	36%
Trayvon Mullen	CB	0	0%	59	95%	4	14%
D.J. Swearinger	SS	0	0%	51	82%	0	0%
Maxx Crosby	DE	0	0%	41	66%	9	32%
Johnathan Hankins	DT	0	0%	38	61%	7	25%
P.J. Hall	DT	0	0%	37	60%	0	0%
Maurice Hurst	DT	0	0%	36	58%	7	25%
Marquel Lee	LB	0	0%	33	53%	23	82%
Dion Jordan	DE	0	0%	32	52%	9	32%
Clelin Ferrell	DE	0	0%	29	47%	7	25%
Lamarcus Joyner	FS	0	0%	29	47%	0	0%
Nicholas Morrow	LB	0	0%	26	42%	20	71%
Josh Mauro	DE	0	0%	21	34%	7	25%
Preston Brown	LB	0	0%	17	27%	0	0%
William Compton	LB	0	0%	16	26%	16	57%
Benson Mayowa	DE	0	0%	13	21%	0	0%
Curtis Riley	FS	0	0%	11	18%	21	75%
Nevin Lawson	CB	0	0%	9	15%	21	75%
Dallin Leavitt	SS	0	0%	0	0%	18	64%
Keisean Nixon	CB	0	0%	0	0%	17	61%
Trent Sieg	LS	0	0%	0	0%	8	29%
A.J. Cole	P	0	0%	0	0%	8	29%
Daniel Carlson	K	0	0%	0	0%	7	25%
David Sharpe	T	0	0%	0	0%	3	11

Raiders’ drive of the game vs. Titans: Offense can’t compliment rare defensive stop

The Raiders had a chance to take control against the Titans but failed to complement big plays from their defense and special teams.

Another Raiders loss, and unfortunately for Oakland, another disastrous drive of the game.

After salvaging a tie score in the first half against the Titans, the Raiders’ special teams and defense made big plays early in the third quarter, handing the offense a short field and a chance to take the lead.

The golden opportunity to play complementary football fell by the wayside, however. The Raiders came up short on this week’s drive of note, which helped usher in a 42-21 loss.

After the Raiders failed to convert a 3rd-and-2 play on their opening drive of the second half, a skillful 37-yard boot from punter A.J. Cole pinned the Titans back at their own 6-yard line.

Oakland’s defense forced Tennessee’s first punt of the game, with linebacker Nicholas Morrow disrupting a big third-down play with a blitz. It was a three-and-out series, so after a Titans punt and a 12-yard return by running back Jalen Richard, the Raiders were in business. They were primed to break a 21-21 tie.

But the offense fell flat, going three and out themselves. A short run by RB DeAndre Washington gave way to a near interception from quarterback Derek Carr on second down. The pass should have been picked off; it landed right in the hands of Titans LB Jayon Brown after an attempted dump-off by Carr.

On 3rd-and-8, Carr dropped back to pass. Facing modest pressure, he climbed the pocket expertly, keeping his eyes down the field. He misfired, however, on an attempted throw to wide receiver Zay Jones, who was tightly covered.

When the team watches the game film, they’ll see an open receiver in Keelan Doss, who slipped initially on the play but recovered in time for Carr’s pocket climb. The Titans scored on the ensuing drive, and the Raiders never had another chance to take the lead.

Capitalizing on this opportunity wouldn’t have guaranteed the Raiders a victory. Far from it. The defense played terribly all day. But a score would have lifted the club’s spirt and extended the game further at the least. Additionally, it was a prime chance to practice what coach Jon Gruden preaches: complimentary football. The offense, however, couldn’t capitalize.

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5 Raiders to watch against the Titans

The Raiders are fresh off two blowout losses, and a winning season could disintegrate without a stellar performance from these five players.

It’s been a rough couple weeks for the Raiders, having dropped consecutive road games in blowout fashion, most recently to the Chiefs with first place in the AFC West on the line.

But the story of this year’s Raiders is still being told.

At 6-6, their remaining four games are against teams without elite records, so Oakland still has a shot at the playoffs. At the very least, they can recover the league-wide respect they earned in going 6-4, building momentum for next season in the process.

Their first challenge could be the toughest and not solely due to the quality of the opponent. After two lopsided loses, finding their confidence and building positive momentum will itself be a task. Here are the players to watch as the Raiders attempt to start the last quarter of the season with a win.

DT Jonathan Hankins

Against a Tennesse Titans team featuring running back Derrick Henry, the Raiders’ stout run defense will be put to the test. Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins will be key in stopping the man Raiders coach Jon Gruden says has an under-recognized and valuable skill.

“I think the secret sauce in Henry is he’s got all the talent, and size, and running instincts, but he never tires. He’s a machine, man,” Gruden said during his Wednesday press conference. “You’ve got to gang tackle him. The more they give him the ball, the better he gets … an impressive human being.”

Hankins can’t stop Henry by himself, but by disrupting the middle of the Titans’ offense, he can make Henry work harder and allow the rest of the Raiders’ defense to swarm. It’s been Hankins’ formula for success all season, but Oakland needs him perhaps more than ever this week. Watch to see if he can make Henry spend some stamina and have a subpar game.

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Raiders’ drive of the game: 4th down failure in another blowout loss, this time against the Chiefs

The Raiders scored just one touchdown in their last two games, and no, this week’s drive does not involve that minor triumph.

For the second consecutive week, the Raiders’ drive of the game involves a 4th-and-short play gone awry. This week, however, the score was much closer at the moment of failure.

After an incredible six penalties and two turnovers by the Raiders in the first quarter, they were trailing just 7-0. Impressively, their defense forced a turnover on downs in the first period, and a Chiefs punt late in the second, setting up this week’s dismal drive.

Starting at his own 27-yard line, quarterback Derek Carr immediately found tight end Darren Waller for a beautiful 24-yard completion to the left sideline. A high back-shoulder throw, Waller reached over the defender expertly and hauled it in.

A toss play for no gain to running back Josh Jacobs and a 1-yard scramble by Carr preceded an 8-yard completion to wide receiver, Zay Jones. Facing a 4th-and-1 at Kansas City’s 40-yard line, coach Jon Gruden didn’t hesitate to go for it.

Jacobs was having an excellent game to that point and finished with more than 100 rushing yards and an average of 6.1 yards per attempt. He ran onto the field for the crucial play but then trotted to the sideline after being called back. Raiders fullback, Alec Ingold, Oakland’s short-yardage specialist, was the only back behind Carr.

It appeared Ingold would get the call. But instead, Carr signaled wide receiver Trevor Davis in motion and handed him the ball on a jet sweep. With plenty of green grass available upfield, Davis continued on his wide path and ran into the back of blocking teammate, TE Foster Moreau, for no gain and a turnover on downs.

Just like last week’s 4th down failure, Jacobs wasn’t a factor. At least he was on the field in that case, though he was offset to the right and not behind

Carr. Still, this week’s debacle is difficult to criticize because Davis had room for the first down. He simply didn’t convert.

But it would be wise for Oakland to put the ball in the hands of one of their best players, such as Jacobs or Ingold, in that situation the next time around. At the very least, Jacobs should be in the game to threaten the defense.

Regardless, the Chiefs scored a touchdown on their next drive, and with help from more mistakes by the Raiders, the rout was on, resulting in a disappointing 40-9 loss with first place in the AFC West on the line.

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Raiders, Gruden take lack of success in the run-game ‘personal’

The Raiders’ rushing attack performed poorly against the Jets, and coach Jon Gruden and his offense aren’t taking their bad day lightly.

The Raiders’ rushing attack had a disappointing game last week against the Jets, and though New York has the best run defense in the NFL, coach Jon Gruden and his offense are still smarting.

The group prides itself on running the ball, most notably with star rookie running back, Josh Jacobs, when the entire stadium knows what’s coming, let alone the defense. Gruden acknowledged the Raiders’ poor ground game in New York during his Wednesday press conference and said his team doesn’t take the lackluster performance lightly.

“I think we all take that personal. It’s a hard thing to do in this league, which is run the ball the way we run it. We’re not running options and scrambling for yards. We’re handing it to a back, and we’re doing it in some predictable situations. We just got to keep working. I love our line, and we’re going to need them to play great for sure on Sunday.”

This is an ideal week to get the ground game rolling again. Oakland’s opponent, the AFC West-leading Chiefs, have allowed the third-most rushing yards in the NFL. A punishing game from the offensive line and Jacobs is precisely what the Raiders need if they’re to draw Kansas City, who relies on their potent passing attack, into a tough, physical game the Raiders take pride in.

Regardless of the opponent, however, the Raiders feel like they can run the ball on anyone, according to offensive coordinator, Greg Olson.

“All the respect in the world to the teams that we played, but we kind of like to look at us and let’s just focus on us, look at what we’re doing and we think there’s some things that we can do better and we’ll continue to work on,” said Olson, addressing the team’s struggles in the run game of late during his Thursday press conference.

The coaching staff still knows if they’re to slow the Chiefs and escape a frigid Arrowhead Stadium with a win, the run game must play a starring role as it has for most of the season, leading the Raiders to a 6-5 record and an opportunity to tie Kansas City for first place in the AFC West.

Besides, Gruden and his staff built a physical identity for this football team, and this type of game is the reason why. When Oakland lines up in an obvious run formation against the Chiefs, at least early on, expect a run play. For the Raiders and their new persona, it’s personal.

5 Raiders to watch against the Chiefs

One look at the AFC West standings and it’s clear: this is a big week for the Raiders. Here are the players who must step up vs. the Chiefs.

One look at the AFC West standings and it’s clear: this is a big week for the Raiders. Trailing the division-leading Chiefs by a game, Oakland heads to Kansas City on Sunday to stake its claim as best in the west.

Led by superstar quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, the Raiders’ longtime rival exploded for 28 points in one quarter the last time these teams met, back in September, on their way to a 28-10 win. But since that loss, the Raiders have shaped an identity, and it just so happens to match up well against Kansas City’s chief weakness.

Here are the players that must step up if the Raiders are to win a game that would re-shape the AFC West race.

DE Maxx Crosby

The Raiders’ chances on defense hinge on their ability to bother Mahomes when he drops back to pass, and defensive end Maxx Crosby has emerged as Oakland’s best playmaker when it comes to disrupting the offense.

His 7.5 quarterback sacks would be impressive for any player, let alone a rookie fourth-round pick from Eastern Michigan. Though the Chiefs’ pass protection is solid, having allowed just 19 sacks so far, Crosby can make an impact with QB pressure alone, aided by his long arms and a high motor.

Watch to see Crosby build on an already impressive campaign. According to The Athletic’s Vic Tafur, he’s one of just two NFL players with a minimum of six sacks, three forced fumbles and three passes defensed in 2019, joining the Steelers’ T.J. Watt.

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Raiders’ drive of the game in blowout loss against Jets

The Raiders had one last chance to get back in the game against the Jets but faltered on this week’s agonizing drive of the game.

Having been dominated for more than one half of football, the Raiders were trailing the Jets 20-3. Oakland took the ball with plenty of time to mount a comeback — just under 13 minutes to play in the third quarter — thanks to a quick score by New York to open that period of play.

On 3rd and 7, after a run for no gain by running back Josh Jacobs and a short pass to tight end Foster Moreau, Carr scrambled beautifully for 11 yards and a first down. Jacobs broke loose for seven yards on the next play, and it appeared the Raiders’ rushing attack would get on track against a stout Jets run defense, which would open up coach Jon Gruden’s playbook.

On 2nd and 3, however, center Rodney Hudson committed a holding penalty on a 2-yard loss by Jacobs, and Oakland was behind the sticks. But Carr found wide receiver Hunter Renfrow who made two defenders miss on his way to an impressive 11-yard reception, setting up a 3rd-and-2 play.

Gruden called Jacobs’ number. He ran forward behind pulling guard, Richie Incognito, and fell with the football right at the line to gain. After a suspect spot of the football, it was 4th-and-1. Gruden didn’t hesitate, and ran yet again, this time with fullback Alec Ingold, the Raiders’ short-yardage specialist.

Ingold was stopped just short of the line, on a play that saw Jacobs motion out of the backfield, removing an element of surprise for the run defense. It was clear who would get the ball. Additionally, the rookie fullback was offset to the right, and ran, for what seemed like forever, to the interior left, when it appeared there was just enough room up the middle for the needed yardage.

One play later, after a lost challenge from Gruden, New York pulled off a double-reverse flea-flicker on its way to another touchdown and the rout was on. It was a dismal day for the Raiders, and this drive was their last hurrah. It didn’t go well, just like the entire day, and the squad might be wise to throw the game film in the dumpster and prepare for their upcoming game against the Chiefs right away.

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5 Raiders to watch against the Jets

The Raiders face a sub-500 opponent for the second consecutive week and must find motivation.

It’s been an incredible season for the Raiders thus far, and there’s been plenty for the team to rally around. The campaign started with two division games, followed by a five-game road trip and a three-game homestand.

The Raiders’ current task, a trip to New York to face the 3-7 Jets, is downright mundane in comparison.

Nevertheless, the Raiders must resurrect their road mentality and hand their old AFL foe yet another loss if they’re to improve their own record to 7-4. Here are the players to watch as Oakland attempts to keep the playoffs within reach.

LB Tahir Whitehead

Speaking of un-alluring, the first selection on this list may fit that category. But not so fast. Linebacker Tahir Whitehead deserves some recognition for holding the Raiders defense together after the suspension of starting middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict.

He never leaves the field, routinely playing every defensive snap, and he’s rewarded the Raiders by leading the team in tackles. Whitehead’s had trouble when isolated on pass defense, but the guy plays hard each play, with an intensity that’s alone worth watching.

For example, his emotion manifested in the form of a karate chop against his old team, the Lions, just a few weeks ago.

Tahir Whitehead karate-chops Kenny Golladay for no reason. No penalty. pic.twitter.com/ihgUx3Fi6t

— Main Team (@MainTeamSports) November 3, 2019

This column isn’t predicting another kung fu strike of any sort. Still, watch Whitehead as he leads the defense against a Jets offense that has shown improvement lately, despite some awful stats.

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