Oakland Raiders have improved in 2015, but still climbing

Oct 4, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio in the first half of their game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Coaching staff fixing things

Head coach Jack Del Rio and his staff are much better then anything the Raiders have had in years. In contrast to Dennis Allen, Del Rio knows why the Raiders don’t win games, and to the pleasure of all Raiders fans he goes to work and fixes those things which started with the run defense as one of his first main in-season adjustments to improve the team.

The Raiders haven’t stopped the run since 2002 and six head coaches and staffs have had a shot at it. It really didn’t look too good over the first two games of the season, but the Raiders have since climbed to 4th in the NFL against the run. We should have known that would happen because everywhere Del Rio has been, the team has climbed to the top of the NFL in run defense in his first year.

After getting abused by tight ends the first four weeks, the Raiders adjusted and held Broncos tight end Owen Daniels to zero catches. Under the last few coaches’ watch, such problems went unsolved through the season. With the tight end problem, the 3rd down defense problem has also been solved as the Raiders held the Broncos to 15 percent on third down.

Run defense and 3rd down defense have plagued the Raiders for years. That’s two major weakness Del Rio and staff have already fixed so far this season. There are a few more on the way to being fixed and when they are, the Raiders will be a shutdown defense tp be ready for the playoffs down the road.

Next: 3-4 defense becoming the Raiders identity