Same Song: Raiders Play Sad, Familiar Tune

Remember talking about how Paul Guenther bought himself some time against the Kansas City Chiefs two weeks ago? Well, he is now coaching on borrowed time. Not only did he deplete all the grace he bought by coaching against the Chiefs, but he also poured proverbial gasoline on the hot seat. The Raiders need better from their defense.

Realism

If the Raiders had lost to the Chiefs two weeks ago, there is a very likely chance that Guenther would lose his job. By keeping his job through the week, it may be too complicated to rid the Raiders of him. During an incredibly contentious playoff race, a transition could be tough. 

Raiders Blame Game

Following a crushing blowout, fingers tend to point, landing on just about anyone. But, when professional athletes, running around on defense looking blindfolded, check the coordinator. The players on the team are not new to the game of football. So, to look entirely clueless while on the field they have spent so much time on is a terrible look for a defensive coordinator. Tampa Bay’s receivers were covered less than Darren Waller under a cocktail napkin and Tom Brady remained upright the entire game. In a game where the Raiders’ defense had to do a majority of things correctly to be successful, they failed. The Raiders allowed Tom Brady to walk over them while the offense sputtered and stalled.

Stat Pad

During defeats, the Raiders will tend to score a “garbage time” touchdown to make their loss not look as bad.  In fact, up 38-20, the Buccanneers scored one final touchdown to make the Raiders’ loss look even worse. It felt fitting that Tampa Bay would continue hammering it home with somewhat of a taunting attitude. In order to bring the Raiders’ biggest issue to light, I am, in a sense, glad the lead extended. Scoring a garbage-time touchdown and bringing the game within a possession or two would not have inspired fans to believe. Now, having to stare at a 25-point loss for the next six days gives the Raiders a chance to worry.

Bottom Line Raiders

When looking at a 45-20 loss, do you tend to blame the offense for not scoring 45 points against a very established defense or the defense for allowing 45 points to anyone? Sure, they had questionable possessions on offense, including a field goal from the red zone on fourth and two with the game still in the balance, but if the Raiders cannot lock the field down from time to time, it does not really matter what they do with their redzone possessions.