Oakland Raiders Week 8 Stats Breakdown and Awards

Nov 1, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Taiwan Jones (22) scores a touchdown against the New York Jets in the third quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Jets 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Week 8 Awards

Player of the Game: Derek Carr

This was tough. The two cornerstones of this team both played great, all around games (Mack and Carr). But I’ve got to give it to Carr this week. He was playing a game where his play had to be sharp.  The smallest of mistakes against a secondary like the Jets’ have could be catastrophic. Derek didn’t cower at their secondary, in fact he challenged them early. This is his team, and he showed on Sunday why everyone on that team respects him and follows his leadership.

Offensive Player of the Game: Michael Crabtree

The often overlooked second head of the Raiders two headed monster that is their starting receivers, Crabtree is taking his role as Co-Headlining receiver in any way other than how many expected him to in the off season.

Known as a bit of a diva in San Francisco, Crabtree has shown nothing but humility in success, determination in defeat, and a comradery with fellow wide receiver Amari Cooper.  When Crabtree makes a catch, it’s rarely a catch an fall to the ground.

He’s scrappy, he wants to fight for more yards and he did just that on a deep reception he made on the 20. Crabtree saw the endzone and decided the four Jets defenders in front of him weren’t going to stop him so he barreled his way through three of them to the score.

Defensive Player of the Game: Charles Woodson

The G.O.A.T. strikes again. Nothing derails a team like a timely interception. Shortly after Fitzpatrick left the game with a hurt hand, Geno Smith tested the Raider secondary and paid the price.  After Woodson’s pick of Smith, it was obvious Smith was much less aggressive.

Unsung Hero of the Game: Amari Cooper/Andre Holmes

Darrelle Revis is a bad, bad man. He’s one of the Top 2 corners in the NFL depending on who you talk to. Cooper’s job today wasn’t to try and school Revis; his job was to keep him busy. As long as Revis is stuck covering Cooper, he can’t cover anyone else.

Cooper was able to take Revis to class a few times, and if not for a throw Carr had to force a little out of reach to avoid being picked off, Cooper would have taken Revis from school to the house  The reason Cooper’s job was so important and impressive, is that other receivers his age would get flustered with Revis covering them all day and essentially quit.

Completely taking the option of going to them out of the equation. Cooper kept fighting every down to try and get open, so the Jets had to keep respecting him and couldn’t let off.

Andre Holmes had two catches and two touchdowns. Not a bad day at the office. What I would like to point out is that his deep touchdown was on Antonio Cromartie. Cromartie may not have the speed he once did, but he is still one of the best corners in the NFL, strong and smart he is a challenge for any receiver, let alone a guy sharing time as the 3rd receiver on the depth chart. Holmes’ 49 yard TD catch shows the relationship he has with Carr.

Taking a shot like that on 3rd down and 2, outside of field goal range shows a lot of confidence in the receiver, and shows just how much experience these two have together. Carr knew exactly where Holmes wants the ball in order to take it in stride.

Play of the Game: Taiwan Jones 

I can begrudgingly say that I am coming around to the idea of possibly, maybe thinking about liking screen plays. I know teams have success with them throughout the league, but I’m just so used to the Raiders not being one of those teams that when I see a pass to the flat; I just cringe. With the huge success the Raiders had last week, I’m starting to change my tune.

When Taiwan Jones caught that pass six yards behind the line of scrimmage, I was hoping to break even on the play. After Jones simply sped past the defender who was caught off guard by Jones’ speed, I knew he had something going. A missed tackle here, another move there and no one is catching Taiwan Jones in open space, it was another touchdown. Incredible run by Jones.