Do Not Worry About the Oakland Raiders Defense

Aug 22, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Maurice Jones-Drew (21) breaks free from Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk (50) before rushing for a touchdown during the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Ball Control

The defense didn’t get off to a great start on Friday but stared to get it together and got some three-and-outs. They even got the ball back for the offense with great field position but the offense did nothing except for the big play by Maurice Jones Drew. So as the defense stayed on the field for seemingly the whole first half, they were gassed as the Green Bay Packers stayed with the no-huddle.

That could have been easily quelled by Raiders’ running game with Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden. But the Raiders already know they have a great running game so  was time to work on throwing the ball. Not just throwing it but throwing it down field as quarterback Matt Schaub had not done to that point all preseason.

The Raiders had to see what Schaub could truly do and not do and the answer was nothing good when he’s hurt. If the Raiders were truly trying to win the game, you would have seen a lot more Jones-Drew and McFadden running the ball. Come to think of it, you might have seen a lot more of Matt McGloin in the game at quarterback with Schaub and Derek Carr injured.