Oakland Raiders Week 8 Primer: Jets Come Crashing In

Oct 25, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) scores a fourth quarter touchdown against the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Big Complaint

It is hard to beat up a team for demolishing a division opponent on the road, but the game should have never been as close as the final score suggested. Both coordinators decided to back way off.

Defensively the Raiders only rushed three and defended the boundaries keeping the ball in the field of play in order to keep the clock ticking. Knowing that they had the win in the bag, they decided to focus on containing Philip Rivers rather than trying to make the big plays they did in the first three quarters.

Offensively, the Raiders did not seem interested in even attempting a short pass or a swing to the outside to mix up the play calls. They simply ran Roy Helu right up the gut time and time again. This led to three and outs along with the garbage time comeback from the Chargers that left an empty feeling for some fans after the team roared out to a 37-6 lead after three quarters.

Coach Del Rio said after the game that the fourth quarter was a teaching experience. This could not be more true. The hope for most Raiders fans is that they do not back off like they did against the Chargers again.

Next: Week 8 Primer: Offensive Blueprint