Oakland Raiders Post-Bye Notebook: Looking ahead
Sep 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws a touchdown pass against the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Ravens 37-33. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
2. Rediscover the Offense
In back to back wins over the Ravens and Browns, the Raiders looked like a true to life offensive juggernaut. Derek Carr put up over 660 yards and 5 TD’s in those two wins. Latavius Murray rushed for over 200 yards. Amari Cooper had 15 receptions for 243 yards. The Raiders put up 64 total points in those two games. Then came a 22-2o loss to a struggling Chicago team where the Raider defense played a strong game and the Raider offense couldn’t get into any rhythm and managed a season-low 243 total yards. Against the strong Broncos defense the Raiders managed 288 total yards and a season-low 10 points.
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The Raiders will have every opportunity to bounce back offensively after the week off. The Raiders’ cast of offensive role players and playmakers are all healthy, as is the offensive line (minus Menelik Watson, of course), and will come out of the gate against a Chargers defense that has allowed opposing offenses to score 16 touchdowns through six games – the Chargers are allowing 26.8 points per game and are especially susceptible to the run, giving up an appalling 5.4 yards per carry to opponents.
The Raider offense is potent due to the raw talent and solid offensive line play, but has struggled at times because of youth and system inexperience – something to be expected with a new coordinator, second-year quarterback and rookie #1 wideout. But having had now nine weeks of game prep (including preseason), a training camp, and now a bye week working in Bill Musgrave’s system, one should be able to expect more crisp execution from Derek Carr and company going forward into the meat of the schedule.
Next: Post Bye Notebook: Raiders Can't go Backwards Defensively