Loser: Defensive line
While the defensive line made the big play to end the game on fourth down, overall, it was a bad showing. The Raiders’ defense could not generate any pressure and gave Bridgewater all day to throw and allowed open lanes for McCaffery.
The Raiders did have one sack, but that was by Maurice Hurst, who barely played in the game. Instead, they went with Clelin Ferrell inside on passing down to no avail while Crosby was silent for most of the game. Key was quiet as well, while Carl Nassib displayed decent play at times.
The Raiders have to take a look at their personnel and see what works. The Ferrell inside experiment didn’t fit the year before. Why would it work now? If Hurst generates pressure, why not give him more snaps on passing downs? A lot of questions for the line that is important for a defensive coordinator who doesn’t like to blitz.
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