What to do About the Oakland Raiders Offense

Sep 21, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) takes the snap from center Stefen Wisniewski (61) against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Give Oakland Raiders head coach Dennis Allen credit for getting the defense on track in Week 3 vs the New England Patriots. After giving up 400 yards rushing in his first two games, the Raiders gave up only 76 yards rushing to the Patriots. Allen switching his base defense to the 3-4 and starting Justin Ellis at nose tackle over Pat Sims was the key.

Miles Burris, went from a horrible at middle linebacker, to a decent inside linebacker and Justin Tuck broke out as a 3-4 end. Rookie Khalil Mack uses his skill-set a whole lot more as a 3-4 outside linebacker than he could out of the 4-3.  LaMarr Woodley is back home at 3-4 outside linebacker too so the Raiders are rushing the passer to make up for their corners.

But that’s just the defense as the Raiders are 0-3 just as much for the offense as it was the defense in the first two games. Derek Carr is a good rookie quarterback and running back Darren McFadden has his burst from 2010-2011 back. Receiver James Jones has some of the best hands in the NFL, fullback Marcel Reece is a weapon and the offensive line is solid.

But for any of them to get on track, the Raiders need to stretch the because if they don’t, they’ll be too easy to defend. Opposing defenses will just continue to put eight and nine in the box to stop the run and short pass at the same time. So Allen needs to make some changes to his offensive personnel so they can challenge defenses down the field to everything else easier.

Turn the page to see what they should be.