You could be forgiven for assuming that all of the Oakland Raiders players would have had negative PFF Grades following a spanking at the hands of the Denver Broncos at the Coliseum yesterday, but ProFootballFocus did have some positive to go with the negative while charting the individual play of the Silver and Black in a blowout loss to Peyton Manning. In fact, one of the team’s most maligned recent draft picks scored the team’s praise as 2013 first round pick DJ Hayden was credit for excellent pass defense as well as an interception on Manning in the first drive of the game.
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Hayden, who gave up one touchdown while guarding the Broncos star wideouts who are regarded as some of the best in the league, earned a +1.4 grade for his efforts. Nothing to brag about, but going against Peyton Manning and the Broncos receivers it is a promising sign that the cornerback is improving even if there are concerns a late groin injury may be putting him back on the injury list in thje coming days.
On the negative side of things, Charles Woodson was graded harshly for his worst game since coming back to Oakland, a game which included a missed tackle on C.J Anderson’s game changing 51 yard touchdown run to put Denver up 13-10 on a play that should have been stuffed by the Raiders on 3rd and 8. Stefen Wisniewski, in a contract year with the Raiders, also was one of the lowest graded Raiders players for his struggles in protecting Derek Carr and getting the run game going up front.
From PFF’s Raiders-Broncos ReFocused Grades:
"Charles Woodson, S: -5.9Breakdown: After a great start in the first eight weeks, Woodson’s dropped off in the last two with the primary reason being a decline in tackling, as he’s missed six in the last two games after missing just five tackles in the first half of the season. He had four MTs yesterday, including one on CJ Anderson’s long touchdown reception in the second quarter.Signature Play: 3Q, 12:50. Didn’t have much of a chance preventing Julius Thomas from reaching the end zone, but didn’t put up much of a fight as he was run over at the goal line.DJ Hayden, CB: +1.2Breakdown: A very active game for Hayden, as he bounced back from a two-penalty display last week, picking up an early interception. Ended up surrendering a touchdown (2Q, 0:35) and a pair of first downs, but made up for it getting his hands on two more passes to deny completions later in the game.Signature Play: 3Q, 3:50. Maintained close coverage on Demaryius Thomas in the end zone, but wasn’t able to haul in the interception.Stefen Wisniewski, C: -3.9Breakdown: This was a rough game for the entire Oakland offensive line, but Wisniewski particularly struggled, allowing two hits and two hurries with a quiet day run blocking as well.Signature Play: 3Q, 11:59. Completely whiffed on Marvin Austin at the line on what was perhaps his worst blocking effort on the day. However it didn’t amount to much, as Carr got rid of the ball immediately at the back of his drop."
Woodson’s poor performance gets an easy pass as the Raiders safety is headed to the Hall of Fame and has given a full effort for teams who have had no shot at making the playoffs over the past two seasons since the Super Bowl champion with the Green Bay Packers returned to the franchise that drafted him. Stefen Wisniewski should be concerned however as the center who is in a contract year is losing money on his next contract by the game with uninspiring performances this season for the Raiders. Only time will tell if Wiz’ play affects his negotiations with the team, but in a lackluster year it is hard to imagine him getting a big payday from a team that let Jared Veldheer walk in the offseason with the type of performances he is putting on the field through nine games.