Oakland Raiders Week 3 Game Plan

Sep 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders free safety Charles Woodson (24) greets fans before the start of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Defense: Charles Woodson on the Tight end

The Raiders have allowed career best days to two tight ends in a row to begin the 2015 season. They gave up nine catches for 104 yards to Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert and five for 88 to Ravens tight end Crockett Gilmore. They also gave up two TDs a piece to each of them so Browns tight end Gary Barnidge is likely licking his chops at the prospect of a big day against the Raiders.

It’s time for the Raiders to put to Charles Woodson back at strong safety to cover the tight end to solve that problem in coverage. I really wish Mack would move back to outside linebacker because Ray-Ray Armstrong gives catches up to tight ends every time they throw his way. I don’t want Mack in coverage too much because the Raiders need him to blitz a lot.

But on those plays the Raiders have to have the outside linebacker on him, it should be Mack. Woodson is a top 100 football player because he shuts tight ends down but he’s had to play free safety since Nate Allen injured his knee. I’m really hoping the Raiders can find someone to play center field because opposing tight ends are killing the Raiders. Even with his shoulder injury, Woodson could be the answer as his coverage skills and physicality would completely take the tight end out of the equation if the future Hall of Famer is matched up with a relative nobody in Barnidge.

Next: Week 3 Gameplan: Final Thoughts