Listless Raiders Fall to Chargers, 26-10

After notching their first win, the Oakland Raiders renewed hostilities with the Los Angeles Chargers. Unfortunately, Oakland failed to muster any semblance of a fight, losing 26-10. As a result, the Raiders fall to 1-4. If you peer at the stats, they do not accurately tell the story.

Carr Trouble

While Derek Carr’s stats seem decent, his impact and lack of rhythm hurt the outcome. First, when the rush approaches, move the pocket quicker. Yet, Carr would slide and shift slowly. As a result, the Chargers looked to get home quicker. Despite this, Carr enjoyed moments. However, the moments arose with the score in the Chargers’ favor.

Weird Playcalling

For the second time this season, Jon Gruden elected to not give the ball to Marshawn Lynch inside the two-yard line. Why? From afar, questions arise about Gruden’s faith in Lynch’s ability. On the other hand, is the lack of Lynch down there, a result of a lack of faith in the interior line? For all of the money invested on two guards and a center, the Raiders need more out their middle three. Instead of pounding the ball, the Raiders elected to pass. Carr found Melvin Ingram, ending the Raiders threat to climb back into the game. Later, Jalen Richard actually saw touches inside of the ten. Moving forward, what will this do to the offensive dynamic? Lynch carried the ball only nine times.

Pass Rush

Facing a quarterback, in his fifteenth season, the Raiders tallied just one sack. During the game, Phillip Rivers effortlessly scanned through his progression, picking the secondary apart. In torching Oakland for 339 yards, Rivers also compiled a staggering 12.6 yards per attempt. If this effort remains, the Raiders will struggle to tally twenty sacks.

Bruce Irvin

When the Raiders looked for a leader to start the season, many believed Irvin could step in. However, Irvin appears more focused on collecting penalties than leading. Whether his sack meant much remains debatable. Yet, Irvin’s roughing the passer penalty certainly did. Granted, Irvin did leave the game with a knee injury, the point remains. If he is the defensive leader, collecting two major penalties cannot continue.

Look Ahead

With another disappointing loss, the Raiders head to London to face the Seattle Seahawks. This loss highlighted the many flaws and failed to provide any solutions for the remainder of the season. Under Jon Gruden, the Raiders must summon some sense of rhythm to endure a brutal opening to their season.