PFF Recap: Grading the Oakland Raiders in Week 4
By Austin Gayle
Reactions to PFF’s grades of the Oakland Raiders after their Week 4 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
The Oakland Raiders (3-1) earned their third consecutive win on the road over the formerly undefeated Baltimore Ravens (3-1) in a dogfight that would ultimately come to a close because of a defensive stand from a heavily doubted Raiders defense.
Here’s a look at what ProFootballFocus.com had to say about the Raiders’ 28-27 win in Baltimore.
The Raiders’ Bullies in the Trenches Rise to the Occasion
With 2016 seventh-round pick Vadal Alexander earning the nod at right tackle due to injuries to veterans Menelik Watson and Austin Howard, the rest of the Raiders’ offensive line needed to accommodate for the former LSU guard’s inexperience.
Oakland’s big men up front did exactly that, often putting Ravens defenders on their backs in response to Alexander’s mental miscues and mistakes.
Former Ravens offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele led the charge as the Raiders’ highest graded offensive linemen (80.8) on the day, as he continued to hold strong in pass protection and put defenders on their backs.
Raiders offensive tackle Donald Penn (77.5) and center Rodney Hudson (71.4) finished as Oakland’s fourth and fifth highest graded offensive players, respectively.
The Ravens’ star-studded linebackers bested Oakland when defending the run, allowing just 62 total yards on the ground, but the Raiders didn’t allow their momentum to carry over to the passing game.
Oakland allowed zero sacks against Baltimore, and are leading the NFL with just two sacks allowed through four games this season.
Though a majority of the work done in the trenches goes unnoticed, Raiders sophomore receiver Amari Cooper made an effort to admire Oakland’s offensive line shortly after the game.
"“These guys work really hard,” Cooper, via Raiders.com. “It doesn’t matter what they go through, they are ready to fight for the team. As receivers and running backs, we want to make plays for those guys. It doesn’t make sense for them to have a clean pocket for Derek [Carr], and we don’t make plays.”"
As Cooper and company bask in the limelight, the Raiders’ front five will continue to make ends meet for the Silver and Black.