Raiders Studs and Duds – Page 2

Busters for Raiders Week 5 loss to Broncos

Which Raiders players shoulder the greatest share of the blame in the loss to the Broncos

A collapse like this has many searching for answers. Hopefully the Busters list can provide some. At least in terms of how I saw it go down.

Busters

QB Gardner Minshew

As my mom used to say, “one ‘Oh, sh*t!’ can ruin a hundred ‘Attaboys’.”

Minshew started this game with a few attaboys. But none of it mattered when the ‘Oh, sh*t’ happened.

He had the Raiders offense rolling. Looking for a score on three straight drives to begin the game. A nine-yard completion to Brock Bowers and the Raiders were in first and goal at the nine-yard-line. Minshew rolled left and had Bowers wide open at the goal line. For whatever reason, he overshot him and Patrick Surtain intercepted it and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown the other way. Complete momentum stealer.

Instead of 17-3 it was tied 10-10. The Raiders offense seemed to close up shop after that. On three possessions the remainder of the second quarter, Minshew had one completion for one yard. And he even overthrew Bowers again.

The third quarter saw Minshew pinball around the pocket twice for sacks and then throw behind Tre Tucker for another interception. That was his last play of the game as he was pulled for Aidan O’Connell.

HC Antonio Pierce

Speaking of pulling Minshew… Pierce is far too reactionary. Sure, you want to protect the ball, but there just isn’t enough of a leash for Minshew to allow him to make mistakes or be aggressive. Twice in five games he’s been yanked and Pierce wouldn’t commit to him as the starter after the game.

This game was still in reach when Minshew was pulled. It was just 20-10. Minshew came back against the Ravens in Week two. Seemingly in part because Maxx Crosby came out and showed him a little faith and gave him a pep talk. Meanwhile, even when the problem has clearly been the scheme and the running attack, Pierce always seems to go back to placing the blame on not taking care of the ball.

Pierce talks about not riding the wave of emotion after games, but no one is more emotional during and after these games than him. He’s too high after wins and too low after losses, talking about ‘business decisions’ and benching players and having his star receiver requesting a trade.

As far as game management, he continues to make the wrong decisions on fourth downs. In this game, the offense ran it on third and five from the Denver 45 — which you only really do if your plan is to go for it — got three yards on it, setting up fourth and short and then oddly punted it away. That’s simply the wrong decision however you look at it. And he makes a poor fourth down decision seemingly every week.

Oh, and TWICE the Raiders defense was flagged for 12 men on the field. Just inexcusable.

LB Tommy Eichenberg

The rookie was making his first start. And it kinda looked like it. He had just one assist in the game. And should have had a lot more than that. His one assist came on an eight yard run on fourth and one. So, even that tackle wasn’t notable.

The score was still just 13-10 in the third quarter. Eichenberg gave up a 13-yard run on the second play. But thanks to a Denver holding penalty and a Crosby sack, they got out of it. They weren’t so fortunate on the next drive.

It started with Eichenberg getting blocked so hard on the punt return, he took out another coverage guy, allowing a huge return that may have been a touchdown had John Samuel Shenker not made the shoestring tackle to stop it at midfield. It didn’t end up mattering much though, because a few plays in, Eichenberg missed the tackle on a nine-yard run and later gave up the touchdown on a catch out right from four yards out.

The next touchdown drive began with Eichenberg missing another tackle in an 11-yard scramble. Later he gave up a 19-yard catch that put the Broncos in first and goal. He was flagged for holding on the Broncos’ final touchdown, which means had they not scored on the play, they would have been in first and goal at the four-yard-line anyway.

CB Jack Jones

Jones’s day got off to a good start. He made the pass breakup on third down to force a punt on the Broncos’ first drive. Not much went right for him after that.

He was flagged for illegal contact on the Broncos’ first scoring drive. On their next scoring drive, he gave up a 19-yard catch on third and seven that put them in field goal range in the final seconds. He had a missed tackle on a 27-yard catch and run on their third scoring drive And he gave up the final touchdown from nine yards out.

G Jackson Powers-Johnson

Far too often during a play, JPJ ends up flat on his face. It’s odd, really. He gets up slowly as if he was either injured on the play or is fighting through an injury. But that’s not it. I just think he gets dejected when he can’t hold his block or is tossed to the ground.

The second play of the game, he was beaten to give up a tackle for loss on a run. The second play of the next drive, he was put on his face to allow a run stuff for no gain. Then on the second play following the game-tying pick six, he gave up another run stuff at the line, helping lead to a three-and-out.

A couple possessions later, he was flagged for a false start, helping lead to another three-and-out.

Gotta figure out these NFL DT’s, young fella. And maybe, pop back up after being beaten and get back at it because, if nothing else, staying on the ground like that after the play isn’t a good look.

WR Jakobi Meyers

Nothing was working for the Raiders offense after that pick six. But Meyers might have helped spark things. Instead he had a one-yard catch, a drop on third down, and then an offensive pass interference leading to two three-and-outs.

His stats were a bit misleading considering half his catches (3) and most of his yards (43) came after the game was out of reach.

DE Tyree Wilson

Last week, Wilson got the seemingly random PFF pat on the back; apparently for having a couple QB hits, even though he didn’t really impact the game in any meaningful way. This week, despite 34 snaps — which was second only to Maxx Crosby among DE’s — he was completely invisible. His stat line consisted of one assist.

See the Ballers

Ballers for Raiders Week 4 win over Browns

Sifting out the notable performances for the Raiders in their win over the Browns.

For the third week in a row, the Raiders went against the grain and shocked the world. Week two it was an improbably win in Baltimore. Week three they were trounced by the winless Panthers. And this week, despite a slew of injuries including to their two best players, they beat the Browns.

They did so by spreading out the Browns’ defense while the Raiders defense completely shut down the Browns offense after the first quarter.

We start with those who were most responsible for that big win.

Ballers

DE Charles Snowden

A month ago, Snowden was cut. Now he’s playing hero for a Raiders team desperate to replace both of the guys they were going to count on to be their starting pass rushers. His biggest play was the last one when he chased down Deshaun Watson on fourth and three to sack him and end the game.

How he even got there is the most impressive part. Snowden came around the right side on a stunt and Watson rolled left, running all the way to the left sideline and Snowden still caught him.

That wasn’t his only big play tho. Two plays before that, he got pressure and batted down a Watson pass. In total, he tied for the team lead with three QB hits and a tackle for loss.

S Isaiah Pola-Mao

That game-ending sack never would have happened if not for Pola-Mao. He made the tackle on the previous play, stopping it short of the sticks to force fourth down. Pola-Mao also made the big play on the Browns’ previous drive, flying over from center field to knock the ball out of the hands of Jerry Jeudy on what was actually a long catch for an instant. He also made the drive stalling tackle on the Browns’ second drive to hold them to a field goal.

WR Tre Tucker

Tucker had a hand in both of the Raiders touchdowns in this game. The first touchdown drive, he made a 14-yard catch on third and seven to keep the drive alive. Then finished it off with an end around from three yards out for the touchdown.

The second touchdown, he laid the final block near the goal line, driving his man out of bounds to ensure DJ Turner could get the final few yards to get in the end zone.

DT Adam Butler

With the leadership void due to the absence of Maxx Crosby, Butler stepped up. He gave a speech to the team inspired by his military upbringing. Then brought that passion to the field. The first third down of the game, he came flying into the backfield on a pass to absolutely bury Deshaun Watson. He was flagged for a horrible roughing the passer penalty, but so what. It wasn’t roughing and the message needed sent.

The next drive ended with a field goal in part because Butler got into the backfield again to make a run stuff for a loss and they couldn’t pick it back up.

The final play of the third quarter for the Raiders’ defense was a sack. Christian Wilkins and Janarius Robinson split credit for it, but Butler was in on it as well, coming right up the gut to ensure the sack sandwich from each side.

The final two Browns’ possessions at the end of the game, Butler had three tackles and a QB hit in which he had Watson wrapped up and off the ground right as the ball was released. The next play, the game was over.

Butler finished tied for second on the team in tackles (six) along with a QB hit (two really) and a tackle for loss.

RB Alexander Mattison

The running game came to life in this game. In part because of the use of jet sweeps and reverses to spread out the defense. But the only back on this team who was consistently making good use of it was Mattison.

He had three huge runs in this game on just five carries. All three of those runs was longer than any run the Raiders had had in the three game to start this season.

The first big run went for 24 yards — double the previous longest run coming in — and it set up the Raiders game-tying field goal before the half. His second big run went for 16 yards to the 19 and the Raiders scored the touchdown around the outside on the next play. His final big run went for 18 yards late in the fourth quarter to help take time off the clock and win the field position battle.

Mattison finished with 60 yards on five carries (12 yards per carry) and Antonio Pierce has said since then that he has earned more carries as a result.

LB Robert Spillane

Once again, Spillane led the team in tackles, putting up double digits for the fourth straight game this season. The first three of those tackles came on the Browns’ opening drive and all for three yards or less.

He made two stops on each of the Browns possessions in the second quarter, including a tackle for loss and a three-and-out.

S Tre’von Moehrig

He had the Raiders only takeaway, hauling in an interception off of Amari Cooper’s chest. It set up the Raiders final touchdown drive. Also on the final Browns drive, Jerome Ford burst for a 35-yard run that might have been a touchdown if not to Moehrig making the tackle at the 16-yard-line.

DT Christian Wilkins

Wilkins tied for the team lead with three QB hits. He also shared a sack and forced a holding penalty that called back a long touchdown that would have put the Browns ahead in the fourth quarter.

Honorable Mention

WR Jakobi Meyers — led the team with 49 yards on five catches and forced a pass interference.

WR DJ Turner — scored a touchdown on a reverse from 19 yards out and would have had a long catch as well, but the pass was overthrown.

TE Brock Bowers — Had a 12-yard run and made a huge block on two defenders that sprung Turner for his 19-yard touchdown.

TE Harrison Bryant — Had several nice blocks including on the 12-yard Bowers run and a 10-yard run that put the Raiders in first and goal on their first TD drive.

P AJ Cole — Two huge punts in the fourth quarter helped to keep the Browns from scoring and hold the Raiders’ 20-16 lead.

Continue to the Busters…

Ballers for Raiders Week 3 loss to Panthers

Singling out the performances in Raiders Week 3 loss to Panthers

There wasn’t much to sing about if you’re the Raiders in their loss to the Panthers. The 36-22 final score didn’t tell the story at all. The real score was 33-7 which sealed it early in the fourth quarter.

A lopsided score like that suggests a complete collapse on both sides of the ball. They couldn’t run the ball, they couldn’t stop the run. They couldn’t pass the ball, they couldn’t stop the pass.

Andy Dalton was picking them apart through the air and Chuba Hubbard (who?) ran all over them on the ground. Gardner Minshew completed one deep pass and the Raiders still have the worst rushing attack in the NFL dating back like 25 years at least.

Anyway, let’s see about them Ballers, eh?

Baller

WR Tre Tucker

That one deep completion went to Tucker. He got behind the defense and made the long catch 54 yards downfield. It set up the Raiders only touchdown that actually mattered. It tied the game at 7-7 in the first quarter.

When the game essentially was over, he had three catches for 64 yards. But he didn’t just pack it in, he added four more catches to finish with 98 yards and a touchdown.

That’s it. That’s the list.

Continue to the Busters…

Busters for Raiders Week 2 win vs Ravens

Those whose play required heroics to overcome.

There wouldn’t have been a need for heroics had the Raiders not put themselves in a hole in this game. And it was pretty obvious at times what the problem was.

Busters

LT Kolton Miller, LG Andrus Peat, RT Thayer Munford

Let’s be clear, no one on this offensive line was good. The run game was historically bad and that falls on everyone. But these three were SO bad, they get special mention.

Last week Kolton Miller had what seemed to me to be the worst game of his career. Well, that wasn’t a fluke. He had another brutal game in this one.

Miller gave up a sack on the very first play of the game. And it was a strip sack which he luckily fell on or the Raiders would have been looking at going down a score seconds into this one.

Getting the start next to him was Andrus Peat, taking the place of Cody Whitehair. Three plays in, he was shucked out of the way to give up a run stuff for a two-yard loss. The Raiders moved backward on two of their first three plays and punted it away.

Second drive, Miller didn’t block the end to give up a free sack on third down.

The second quarter, the Raiders finally got a first down. They even drove into scoring range. But it ended with Peat missing his block to give up a tackle for loss, leading to a 53-yard field goal.

They got into scoring range again later in the second quarter. But Munford was beat around the edge and since Peat was also beaten up the middle, Minshew had nowhere to go and was sacked, leading to a 51-yard field goal.

Peat was sent back to the bench for the second and Cody Whitehair took over.

Munford had a disastrous possession in the third quarter. Starting out by blocking no one to give up a run stuff. Then two plays later losing his block to give up another run stuff for no gain, following immediately be giving up a tackle for loss. They convert on third and long and ended up turning it over on downs.

The offense may have come up late in this one, but the run game never did. And Minshew still had to overcome poor pass blocking as well. Miller gave up another sack, as did Munford.

S Tre’von Moehrig, S Marcus Epps

Weird to think all the starting cornerbacks are Ballers and both starting safeties are Busters. Not sure I’ve seen that happen before.

The biggest play of the Ravens first drive of the game was a 19-yard catch given up by Epps on third and seven. And they got on the board with a field goal.

The next Ravens scoring drive started with Moehrig giving up a 17-yard catch. And the final scoring drive of the first half saw Moehrig give up an eight-yard catch that put them in scoring range at the 34.

They would go for a touchdown to open the third quarter and the big play was a 30-yard run by Derrick Henry on which Epps missed the tackle near the line. Two plays later, Moehrig gave up the touchdown catch from eight yards out.

To begin the fourth quarter, the Ravens would drive for another TD. They would drive into Vegas territory at the 48 and Epps would miss a tackle to give up a 15-yard run. Two plays later came the biggest play of the drive with Epps getting blocked to give up a 17-yard run and Moehrig tacking on a few more with a late hit out of bounds call. This put the Ravens in first and goal at the six-yard-line. They scored two plays later.

DE Charles Snowden

That first touchdown drive to start the third quarter saw Derrick Henry break off a 30-yard run. He got the edge to begin with because Snowden was blocked. Then Snowden tried to recover and chase Henry down only to embarrassed by a wicked stiff arm.

Their second touchdown drive, that 17-yard run mentioned a couple paragraphs back began with Snowden missing a tackle. He showed some pass rushing prowess in the preseason, but his tackling leaves much to be desired.

Also see the Ballers

Ballers for Raiders Week 2 win vs Ravens

What a game. Through much of this game it was looking like a replay of the season opener against the Chargers. Where the Raiders defense keeps it close while the offense flails and ultimately sees the opposing team put things together late to win it.

Even early into the fourth quarter, it still had that feel. The Ravens drove for a field goal to end the first half and a touchdown to begin the third quarter to make it a ten-point game. Meanwhile it was most of the way through the third quarter and the Raiders still hadn’t gotten in the end zone and were down by ten.

Then suddenly they turned it on and scored three straight times while the defense allowed one score and they pulled off the upset.

There were so many heroes, it was hard to pick a Top Baller this week. But I managed.

Ballers

LB Robert Spillane

To be the biggest playmaker in a game full of playmakers is quite an accomplishment.

He led the team with ten combined tackles (eight solo) and nearly all of them were huge plays. The first Ravens drive featured two Spillane run stuffs for a net two yards and the third down tackle on a catch short of the sticks.

Spillane stalled another drive in the second quarter by tracking Lamar Jackson on a rollout to the right sideline to keep containment and force him to make a bad pass incomplete.

The Ravens got in the endzone on their first drive of the third quarter. But Spillane did his part to try and keep that from happening when he stuffed a run at the line on first and goal. The next drive, he intercepted a Lamar Jackson pass off a deflection to give the Raiders another shot with great field position. They took advantage of it to drive for their first touchdown, making that turnover crucial to the outcome.

The Raiders would pull within seven points midway through the fourth quarter, putting it in the hands of the defense to give them a shot to tie it up. They did the job too, with Spillane batted down Jackson’s pass on third down to send the Ravens offense away with a three-and-out.

After the offense drove for a game-tying touchdown, the defense came out to try and keep the Ravens from driving for the game winner. Spillane followed up a big sack by Maxx Crosby with a run stuff for no gain. The Ravens couldn’t make up the third and long, giving the Raiders a chance to win it in regulation. And they did just that.

DE Maxx Crosby

He was his usual holy terror self, which is not always the easiest thing to do against a multifaceted quarterback like Lamar Jackson.

Crsoby had a run stuff on the Ravens’ first play from scrimmage and a sack on the fourth play. Then he had a run tackle for loss on the second possession, leading to a three-and-out. So, yeah, it was shaping up to be a long day keeping the Condor contained.

First play of the second quarter was another Crosby run stuff for a loss, leading to another three-and-out. He added a batted pass on the next drive.

After the Raiders tied it up at 23-23 midway through the fourth, Crosby came flying up the gut right into to Jackson’s face for a nine-yard sack. That sealed the Ravens’ fate.

QB Gardner Minshew, WR Davante Adams, TE Brock Bowers

We pick up the action in the third quarter. That’s when the Raiders offense started to get things rolling. The first big completion went for 25 yards to Brock Bowers to put them in scoring range. But ultimately the Raiders could go for it on the 4th and short and fail, with Minshew’s pass for Davante a bit short and Adams unable to make the catch around a defender. But it was a sign of things to come.

The Raiders defense would take the ball back and the offense returned to mount another drive. The big play saw Minshew stand tall in the pocket as he waited for something to open up and then Bowers came back to his QB to make the catch inside the five and put the Raiders in first and goal at the one. They punched it in on the next play.

Next possession they were on the move again. It featured consecutive connections with Adams for 26 yards and 30 yards. The 26-yarder came on a perfect pass from Minshew, throwing it before Adams had even made his break, so he turned the find the ball right there. The 30-yard catch was especially impressive, with Adams leaning out of bounds, dragging his toes.

That drive ended in a field goal, which meant a touchdown was needed to tie it up. First play of the Raiders next drive, had well placed ball from Minshew with Davante’s notorious late hands ensuring the defender had no shot at it up the left sideline for 29 yards. Bowers got hte next first own on a 15-yard grab. Then Bowers would convert on third down with an 11-yard catch to put the Raiders in first and goal at the nine. Adams was interfered with to put it at the one. Where Minshew had a masterful read option where he pulled it back and threw it over the defense to Adams for the game-tying touchdown.

CB Nate Hobbs, CB Jack Jones, CB Jakorian Bennett

Just like the above trio, I just couldn’t separate these guys. Bennett showed up first with a huge pass breakup on a deep ball attempt up the left sideline in the second quarter. This forced a 56-yard field goal attempt which Justin Tucker missed wide.

The next drive began with a coverage incompletion by Jones. Bennett would also force an incompletion on the drive with tight coverage. And finally, Jones made the tackle short of the first down to force the Ravens to settled for a field goal.

The third quarter saw Bennett break up another pass. This time Spillane was there to intercept it off the deflection. The takeaway led to the Raiders getting their first touchdown of the day.

With the Raiders making a push, and within a score, Jones helped that effort by stopping Lamar Jackson for a loss on a scramble. Jones would then effectively end the game with a pass breakup on a deep attempt up the right sideline that looked for a moment to be a catch that would have been enough for the Ravens to tie it up. Clutch.

Nate Hobbs just simply locked it up on the day, giving up just one catch for 13 yards.

K Daniel Carlson

He was 4-for-4 on the day with field goals from 53 and 51 yards. That’s doing his job.

Busters coming soon…

Ballers for Raiders Week 1 loss to Chargers

Even in a tough loss like this, the plain truth is not everyone was bad. In fact, through three quarters, the Raiders had a lot going for them and it was still a two-point game. That doesn’t happen by accident.

So, before we get into how it all fell apart, let’s give credit to those who kept the Raiders in this game through three quarters.

Ballers

DE Maxx Crosby

While the Chargers are pumping their chests at how well their rookie tackle held up against Crosby, he still was a major factor in this game. The Chargers started the game with a three-and-out. And the final two plays featured a Maxx Crosby tackle for loss and a sack off a stunt. So much for Alt deleting Crosby.

He ended another drive in the second quarter with a QB hit on third down to send the two teams into the locker room with a 7-6 Raiders lead.

The Chargers went on a long drive early in the third quarter. but it also featured two Crosby run stuffs and ended with a Crosby pressure for an incompletion, so the Chargers settled for a field goal.

He finished with a sack, three QB hits, and five tackles, one for a loss.

LB Robert Spillane

Spillane led the team with ten combined tackles (seven solo). Two of those tackles ended drives. On one possession in the second quarter, he made the tackle on all three downs including a tackle for loss. He started out a three-and-out in the third quarter with a tackle as well.

CB Jakorian Bennett

He stayed in Quentin Johnston’s hip pocket up deep up the left sideline to knock the ball away and end the Chargers’ second possession with a three-and-out. He didn’t give up a catch all day after that either.

RB Alexander Mattison

After a couple of drives with Zamir White going nowhere, the Raiders put in Mattison. And he had the highlight reel play of the game for them. Mattison caught a pass in the right flat and looked to be stopped, but he evaded one tackler and hurdled Asante Samuel Jr without breaking stride and took it 31 yards to the house. He finished with nine touches for 62 yards and a TD.

DT Christian Wilkins

With the way the Chargers were able to break through on the ground in the second half, it may be hard to remember the Raiders had them hemmed up before that. Wilkins led the way in that department with three run stuffs. He finished second on the team with six combined tackles (five solo).

P AJ Cole

His first punt went 57 yards and was fair caught at the 13. His second punt went 52 yards and was also fair caught. His pooch punt in the fourth quarter was fair caught at the eight. He finished averaging 53 yards per punt with three stopped inside the 20 and one touchback.

T Thayer Munford

While Kolton Miller was having all kinds of issues on the left side, Munford held his own on the right side. Not giving up any sacks or run stuffs.

Honorable Mention

WR Davante Adams — Led the team with 59 yards on five catches. His two catches for 29 yards on the Raiders third drive both came on third down to set up the team’s only touchdown of the game.

CB Nate Hobbs — Chased down two long runs to keep it from being a touchdown. The first one ended in a field goal.

Continue to the Busters…

Busters for Raiders Week 1 loss to Chargers

Those responsible for the Raiders’ collapse in LA.

The good news is that the Raiders held a one point lead at the half of this game. The bad news — aside from the fact that they lost that lead — is that they only scored once to get that early lead.

The second half brought very little scoring from the Raiders while the Chargers eventually found the cracks in the defense to run away with this one. Let’s look at why.

Busters

T Kolton Miller

I can’t recall Miller ever having a game this bad. Not even as a rookie. He simply had a horrendous outing.

Even starting the game with a nine-yard completion, the Raiders went three-and-out. That’s because on the next two plays, Miller got beat to give up run stuffs for no gain. The next drive, the Raiders were in fourth and one and opted to go for it. And Miller was beaten again to give up a tackle for loss.

Another three-and-out to begin the second quarter because Miller gave up a pressure that flushed Gardner Minshew from the pocket and his scramble was stopped at one yard. Next drive he gave up a sack. The drive after that he gave up a pressure for an incompletion.

The Raiders needed to answer after the Chargers got their first touchdown of the day to take a 16-7 lead. They had a nice looking drive going, but it was upended when Miller gave up a sack. They settled for a field goal and didn’t come any closer after that.

HC Antonio Pierce

When to be aggressive and when to live to play another down was something Pierce seemed to struggle with in this game.

They found themselves in 4th and one from their own 41 midway through the first quarter and no score. This would seem like one of those times you just punt it away. But no, Pierce thought this was the time to show his aggressive nature. He called for the Raiders to go for it, handed it to Zamir White and he was stuffed for a loss. The Chargers only needed a few yards to get into field goal range and took the 3-0 lead.

With the game still 9-7 in the third quarter, the Raiders lined up in third and seven at the 32. It was clear the moment they lined up that they were playing for the field goal. Gardner Minshew scanned the field for a moment and then ditched it, just as he was told he should rather than risk anything. Then Daniel Carlson came out and missed the 49-yard field goal. Wasted drive.

The big one, however, came with 7:15 left in the fourth quarter with the Raiders down 16-10. They had added a field goal on their previous drive to make it a one-score game. Then the defense stopped the Chargers for a three-and-out, and a 21-yard punt return gave the Raiders great field position at their own 48. Three plays later they were in 4th and one from the LA 41. That screams go for it. And Pierce thought about it, but opted for the pooch punt instead.

The Chargers got the ball and drove for the touchdown. But even without hindsight, this was a no-brainer mistake by Pierce. After all the shifting in momentum and field position advantage, you simply DO NOT give up the ball without a fight. Even worse is the fact he was given several opportunities to admit he made a mistake, but still insisted he had good reason for his decision. None of those reasons held water.

QB Gardner Minshew

The only touchdown in the game was entirely because of Alexander Mattison made an amazing play to elude two tacklers, hurdling one to go the score. It was a whole lotta bad otherwise.

The poor offense directly led to the Chargers’ first two scores. The first was failing on 4th and one in the first quarter. The second was because Minshew had the ball slip out of his hand, causing a backward pass (which is a fumble) that was recovered by the Chargers in scoring range.

The Raiders managed just three points in the second half and the game ended with Minshew’s short pass attempt getting batted and intercepted.

LB Divine Deablo

Three big runs for the Chargers in the second half are what broke this game open. The first one, Diablo was blocked out of the way and it went for 46 yards, leading to a go-ahead field goal. The next was the first play of the fourth quarter. Deablo mistimed his blitz and was caught up on the outside while he was supposed to be inside the tackle. Without him there, JK Dobbins had an easy run for the touchdown. The final run, Deablo shot the inside gap and Dobbins jump cut through the outside gap and was gone for 61 yards. That one clinched it.

RB Zamir White

He had five carries for five yards in the first half. This included a stuff on third and one and a stuff for a loss on fourth and one. Leading the team to go with Alexander Mattison for a while. Then on his second carry of the third quarter, he went for eight yards and fumbled it away. His struggles are part of what had Antonio Pierce opt to punt late instead of take the aggressive approach.

C Andre James

Not helping in the run department was the play of James who was getting absolutely owned by Poona Ford. He and Kolton Miller both got beaten badly on that failed fourth down play. He would also give up another run stuff on the next drive and a sack on third down to end a drive in the second quarter after the Raiders had driven to the Chargers 43.

S Tre’Von Moehrig

The first big run of the game went for 46 yards but had several chances to be stopped before it got that far. Moehrig was the last line of defense and he missed the tackle. If not for Nate Hobbs chasing down the play, it would have been a touchdown.

The final touchdown of the game was given up by Moehrig who then also missed the tackle.

K Daniel Carlson

Kickers should not be missing field goals inside the 50. Carlson missed one from 49 yards out that would have given the Raiders the lead in the third quarter.

See the Ballers

Ballers for Raiders Preseason Week 3 vs 49ers

One last preseason game to cover for Ballers & Busters.

Ballers

DE Janarius Robinson

Robinson has been turning heads all preseason. He finished strong too. His tackle for loss on a run was what killed the 49ers first drive. Keep in mind this was 49ers first teamers versus Raiders backups. Robinson made the big play that held them to a field goal.

Though the 49ers were able to score on their second drive, Robinson had a pressure that set up a sack on the drive. The next 49ers possession — with the first teamers still in the game — Robinson got pressure around the right edge to force a quick pass by Purdy that was deflected and picked off. That was Purdy’s last throw of the game.

He would get two more pressures in the game, including a QB hit on the second to last play of the game, resulting in an incompletion and preserving the tie.

DE Charles Snowden

Robinson’s tackle for loss was the big play on the 49ers first drive, but Snowden made sure of it. He chased down Purdy on second down to force an incompletion and on third down he came around the right edge and got his arms up to bat the pass at the line.

He ended a possession in the second quarter by making the tackle on third and four short of the sticks. Then he ended another drive when on third and 11, he came around the edge like a shot to sack the QB for a 13-yard loss.

Oh, and he even had the key block on the 81-yard punt return for a touchdown.

LB Amari Gainer

Gainer was a tackling machine in this one. His 12 combined tackles (10 solo) led the Raiders. Half of those tackles were for one yard or less, two were for a loss, and he even added a sack.

WR/PR Tyreik McAllister

McAllister burst onto the scene in the second quarter when he took a punt 81 yards for a touchdown. He saw his gap, made one cut, and was gone to the house.

The next time we saw him, he was getting downfield as the gunner, forcing a block in the back penalty on the 49ers.

In the third quarter, he began making his mark on offense. First he took a jet sweep for eight yards. Then he came back to make a brilliant catch on a pass well behind him, taking it away from the defender, then turning and scoring with it.

He added a 21-yard catch in the fourth quarter that put the Raiders in first and goal inside the ten. Giving him 58 yards of offense and 196 all purpose yards with two touchdowns. Have yourself a day, Tyreik.

S Phalen Sanford

The first two drives of the fourth quarter ended with Sanford plays. He recovered a fumble to start off the final quarter, and had coverage on an incompletion to end the second drive.

WR Ramel Keyton

He came on late in the game, showing his long arms and catching abilities. One particular catch, he leapt in the air and snagged it with one hand and a defender all over him. His four catches for 76 yards led the Raiders.

Continue to the Busters…

Busters for Raiders Preseason Week 3 vs 49ers

There was plenty to make Antonio Pierce unhappy with the performance of his team Friday night. These guys are all trying to make this roster and none of these guys did themselves any favors.

LB Kana’i Mauga

It was the 15-yard catch Mauga gave up on the 49ers first drive that put them in scoring range. And it was the 19-yard catch and 12-yard run he gave up on the next drive that helped them march down the field for a touchdown. The 16-yard catch he gave up on the next possession again put the 49ers in scoring range.

DT Byron Young, DT Matthew Butler

That first touchdown drive shined a bright light on the interior defensive line issues facing the Raiders. Or maybe I should say a black light. Because it was more like a crime scene out there.

The first play Butler and Young gave up an 11-yard run. Butler then managed a sack, though it was set up by Jenarius Robinson’s pressure running Purdy right into him.

The 49ers had driven to the Vegas 38. Then Young gave up a seven-yard run. Next play he seemed to have a shot at stopping Purdy on a scramble, but somehow missed him. Probably because he was jogging on the play, allowing Purdy to run for 13 yards. Next play, Butler was blocked back to give up a six-yard run. Next play, Butler wasn’t in his gap on another six-yard run to put the 49ers in first and goal at the five. Two plays later Butler was again blocked back to give up a four-yard touchdown run.

If the Raiders ever had to rely on either of these guys, Lord help them.

RB Dylan Laube

After that long drive put the 49ers up 10-0, the Raiders tried to answer. They would get their first first down of the game on a couple Laube runs of eight and five yards. Two plays later, they went back to Laube, dumping it off to him. He made the catch and then fumbled it away.

So, maybe he’s not ready to be a factor in the run game. What about as a kick returner? He fielded a kick two yards inside the end zone and took it out, making it to the 22-yard line. Had he just downed it in the end zone, it would have been a touchback and would’ve been placed at the 30. So, his decision, or lack of field awareness, cost the team eight yards.

T Dalton Wagner

Two Raiders drives stalled because of Wagner. In the second quarter, Sincere McCormick looked like he might break off a nice run, but when Wagner went to block his guy, he just stopped right in McCormick’s path and the back hit him and went down for a two-yard gain.

The final drive, the Raiders were down 24-21 and driving, looking like they had a real chance to score a touchdown for the win. They made it into the red zone one a nice 20-yard leaping grab by Ramel Keyton. Bradley came up to the line and spiked it to stop the clock at 36 seconds. And the next play, Wagner gave up the sack. This meant Bradley had to spike the ball again just to keep the clock from running out. And it meant the Raiders had to decide whether to go for broke on 4th and 15 or tie it up with the field goal. They opted for the field goal.

Also See the Ballers

Busters for Raiders Preseason Week 2 vs Cowboys

We continue to the Busters for Raiders Preseason Week 2 vs Cowboys

After the Raiders jumped out to a fast start in the preseason opener in Minnesota, that didn’t happen against the Cowboys in Week two. Not much was working on offense and even the Cowboys backups were getting the better of Raiders starters on both sides of the ball.

Busters

QB Gardner Minshew

Antonio Pierce was hoping either Minshew or Aidan O’Connell would step up and claim the starting job. Neither of them did that and from the looks of things, Pierce had to look past his performance in this game in order to name hm the starter.

O’Connell threw a pick six in this game, but Minshew was lucky not to do the same on the first drive of the game. Twice, in fact.

The first drive, he missed an open Tre Tucker, opting to throw into coverage, having the pass broken up and threw a ball too high for Jakobi Meyers to get. Then on fourth and three, the linebacker stepped in front of his pass and would have had a clear path for a touchdown, but he dropped it.

A 48-yard connection with Tucker would get the Raiders in field goal range on their next drive, but another overthrow for Meyers would have them settle for a field goal.

Next drive, he waited too long to throw it and again nearly had it intercepted. It was only Michael Mayer turning defender that that pass was knocked down instead of picked.

Minshew’s final drive ended with him throwing it too high for Harrison Bryant on fourth and six.

G Dylan Parham

Just after the Raiders got to the 12-yard line on the 48-yard completion to Tre Tucker, Parham gave up a run stuff at the line. In the second quarter, he was slow to get into position on a screen, causing the ball to fall incomplete. On the final play of the third quarter, he was flagged for holding. Two plays later, O’Connell threw his pick six.

T Andrus Peat

Two plays following the 48-yard bomb, Peat gave up a pressure resulting in an incompletion. The drive would end on the next play. The next drive Peat would miss his block on a screen and it was blown up for a one yard gain.

T Thayer Munford

Peat was replaced at left tackle in the second quarter with Munford moving from the right to the left side. And on his second play at LT, Munford gave up a pressure, causing Misnhew to have to scramble for yards.

The final drive of the second quarter ended with Munford giving up another pressure, leading to an incompletion. After the Raiders finally got in the end zone in the third quarter, the two-point conversion fail in large part due to Munford giving up pressure on Minshew as he went back to pass.

DT Byron Young

It looked like the Cowboys game plan at one point was just simply to run at Young. He was getting pushed around a lot. On one drive in the second quarter, it seemed like every play. He was driven back on a seven-yard run, then gave up the first down on the next play, gave up a five-yard run two plays later, then later, with the Cowboys in first and goal at the four, he gave up a three-yard run. They scored the go ahead TD on the next play.

QB Carter Bradley

Bradley came in to start the fourth quarter. He was actually allowed to throw the ball this time. And he looked good at first, going six-for-six to start his day. Then the wheels fell off. His next two passes were an overthrown ball and a pass batted at the line. With a delay of game penalty in between.

His second and final drive featured two more batted passes and a ball behind his receiver on third and short.

CB MJ Devonshire

The final long drive for the Cowboys saw Devonshire give up a 17-yard catch, a 30-yard catch, and the third down catch that put the Cowboys in first and goal at the four.