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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Raiders’ drive of the game vs. Bengals: Derek Carr channels Rich Gannon

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr righted Oakland’s ship early in the game with this week’s drive, using both his arm and his legs.

The Raiders defense carried Oakland to a 17-10 victory against the winless Bengals, but that doesn’t mean the offense didn’t have its moments.

Rookie running back Josh Jacobs finished with 112 rushing yards on 23 carries. Wide receiver Tyrell Williams and tight end Darren Waller both had more than 75 yards receiving.

But it was quarterback Derek Carr that stole the show in this week’s drive of the game, doing his best impression of the last Raiders QB to take the franchise to a Super Bowl, and to play under coach Jon Gruden, Rich Gannon.

By the time the drive started, Carr already completed his first 11 passes and pulled the Raiders even at 7-7 in the second quarter. Gannon was the last Raiders quarterback to start a game so efficiently, in 2001 under Gruden, according to the CBS broadcast.

Carr didn’t stop there. After a 10-yard run by Jacobs, Carr completed his first pass of the drive to wide receiver Tyrell Williams for 21 yards. A roughing the passer penalty pushed Oakland to the Bengals’ 34-yard line.

Gruden kept feeding Jacobs; the rookie ran twice for 14 yards, followed by a reception for three more and another rush, this one good for five, leading to the two-minute warning. A 3rd-and-2 play at the 12-yard line awaited.

After the break, Carr found wide receiver Hunter Renfrow for 10 more yards. Jacobs ran for a short gain. On second down, Carr just missed tight end Darren Waller in the end zone. Though his reception streak snapped, Carr wasn’t finished evoking Gannon, the former NFL MVP.

After a drop back on third down, Carr bolted for the end zone, bringing to mind many Gannon scrambles on the way to an electrifying TD run.

You love to see it.@derekcarrqb makes some absolute MAGIC on third and goal. #CINvsOAK pic.twitter.com/TUjTeZmQ7g

— Oakland Raiders (@Raiders) November 17, 2019

Carr and the offense scored just enough points to win, but that’s the keyword: win. Though Carr’s offense didn’t perform as they would have liked, they produced yards and were on the field for more than 35 minutes, giving the defense much-needed rest.

Gruden, meanwhile, must be proud of the coaching job he’s done with Carr. The quarterback’s gunslinger style is toned down, and a precise signal-caller, reminiscent of the crafty Gannon, is on display. Given Carr’s superior arm talent, the compromise is something to behold. The Raiders may have won ugly against a bad team, but Carr’s TD run was still a thing of beauty, capping this week’s drive of the game.

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5 Raiders to watch against the Bengals

The Raiders are riding high and face a winless team in Oakland this week, but watch out — this game is a trap.

With the winless Bengals coming to Oakland on Sunday, it might seem as though the Raiders have an easy task this week — just roll the football out there and voilà, another win notched, and a 6-4 record secured.

But the Raiders must beware — this game is a trap.

As in, it’s a classic trap game. The Raiders are riding high after two consecutive home wins, and upon receiving positive press during an extra-long layoff after a Thursday night game, it’s human nature to relax at least a bit, especially with an 0-9 Cincinnati team on deck.

Here are the Raiders to watch as the team looks to maintain its edge and keep pace in the AFC West.

1. DE Clelin Ferrell

Defensive end Clelin Ferrell had his best game as a professional in the Raiders’ win Thursday night, notching 2.5 quarterback sacks against the Chargers. As the No. 4 overall choice in the 2019 draft, it was a performance that was overdue.

Ferrell has a great opportunity this week to keep rolling. Bengals quarterbacks have been sacked 31 times this season, and if the Raiders’ offense can get off to a quick start, Cincinnati’s rookie QB, Ryan Finley, will drop back plenty, giving Ferrell ample opportunity to attack the backfield.

Also, keep an eye on fellow rookie DE, Maxx Crosby, and veteran DE Benson Mayowa. But as the No. 4 pick in the draft, even general manager Mike Mayock is watching Ferrell closely.

“We asked him to play a bunch inside, and that’s hard. He’s never played inside in his life,” Mayock said, per Matt Kawahara of The San Francisco Chronicle. Mayock pointed out that Ferrell played the majority of his snaps on the edge and thrived in the Raiders’ wins against the Lions and Chargers.

Watch to see if Ferrell can continue his momentum. He doesn’t have to increase his sack total to accomplish this. Simply setting the edge and disrupting the offense, especially the quarterback, is fantastic progress for the rookie. If he can do that consistently, he’s sure to finish the job and sack the QB with regularity.

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