Oakland Raiders: Keys to Victory over the Chicago Bears
By Austin Gayle
Sep 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Martellus Bennett (83) makes a catch and is tackled by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Tony Jefferson (22) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
End the Tight End Woes
Oakland must find some way to limit the production of opposing tight ends. In three week’s, Oakland has allowed Tyler Eifert, Crockett Gillmore, and Gary Barnidge to combine for 20 receptions for 297 yards and five touchdowns.
With Pro-Bowl tight end Martellus Bennett next in line to tear apart this Oakland defense, it couldn’t be more necessary for Norton Jr. to game plan around stopping 6’6″, 273 pound monster from taking over this game.
Although Oakland may not have the personnel to appropriately match up against Bennett, Norton Jr. simply cannot allow him to run freely through zone coverage for most of the day. While it is possible that Oakland’s defense can improve their ability to run zone coverage, Oakland’s best option could be having their bigger safeties Charles Woodson and Taylor Mays attempt to stick with Bennett through the duration of the play in man-coverage.
Again, the lack of talent Oakland has in the secondary doesn’t allow for a cookie-cutter solution to limiting Bennett’s production, Norton Jr. is capable of game planning against the talented Bears tight end, and Oakland’s defense should get better as their secondary continues to learn his zone scheme.
Next: Keys to the Game: Continue to Protect Derek Carr