Oakland Raiders Film Room: Wk. 11 (SD)

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The Second Time a Mack Daddy Made You Want to Jump

Rookie LB Khalil Mack has impressed everyone this season with his defensive performance, all but locking him in as defensive rookie of the year. Only one thing eluded him in the first 10 weeks of the season: a sack. In San Diego that all changed, and the entire Raider Nation collectively cracked the San Andreas Fault just a little wider open in celebration when it happened.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

Halfway through the 4th quarter uses 11 personnel again (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRs) in a 3×1 alignment on this 3rd & 6 pass play. Oakland brings out their giant dime sub-package (3 DLs, 2 LBs, 3 CBs, 3 Safeties), again faking the blitz with LB Sio Moore in 2-man coverage (2 deep safeties, man coverage underneath). Khalil Mack quickly drives up into the backfield, but gets kicked out too far. However, once Rivers’ first option, TE Antonio Gates, is expertly covered by S Charles Woodson and CB TJ Carrie switching (pattern recognition assignments) the pocket begins to collapse. Much to Mack’s credit, he keeps his eye on Rivers, spins back, and fights to get his first NFL sack. Somewhere Al Davis is smiling.

It’ll be interesting to see how Oakland’s defense does at home against Kansas City (the new 7th ranked offense according to DVOA). The matchup is a little different but one thing is for sure: If the Raiders defense plays like it did against San Diego we just might get a chance to see Oakland upset the hot handed Chiefs at home on Thursday night.

Oakland Raiders Film Room: Week 11 (Chargers)

By Evan Ball | Nov 19, 2014