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Buy or Sell: Oakland Raiders vs. Atlanta Falcons

By Nick Hjeltness

Nov 1, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. encourages the defense before the start of the game against the New York Jets at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. encourages the defense before the start of the game against the New York Jets at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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September 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio (right) talks to NFL head linesman Mark Hittner (28) during the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland Coliseum. The Falcons defeated the Raiders 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
September 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio (right) talks to NFL head linesman Mark Hittner (28) during the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland Coliseum. The Falcons defeated the Raiders 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Jack Del Rio needs to take control of the defense.

Buy.

This is something JDR already did late in the 4th quarter against Atlanta, but it should happen indefinitely, if not permanently.

Ken Norton Jr. had a rough rookie season as defensive coordinator. Which, to be fair, it was his first year and the defense wasn’t that talented, so it was understandable. But in his second season, with a much more talented group, it’s hard to give him a break for the defensive performances in the first two weeks.

Disclaimer: The following defensive statistics are NSFW:

  • Through two weeks, Oakland has allowed 1035 yards of offense — most in the NFL, and 132 yards more than the next closest team. That’s the same gap between the 31st and 18th ranked teams.
  • That averages out to 517.5 yards per game. Five Hundred. Seventeen. Per Game.
  • The Raiders have allowed an average of 34.5 points per game. 35 to Atlanta and 34 to New Orleans.
  • Oakland has allowed 808 passing yards — also the most in the NFL. The next closest team has allowed 695 yards. That difference of 113 yards is the same between the 31st and 20th ranked teams.

I apologize for putting you through that.

So what can be done to fix this mess?

For one, using primarily 3-4 looks has not been the answer. The defensive line is failing to generate pressure, and KNJ doesn’t have much to offer when it comes to drawing up creative blitzes. And as for the “revamped” secondary, they look as bad as ever.

But if the quarterback has all day to throw, the secondary is going to get picked apart. That’s just football. Get after the quarterback, and chances are your defense won’t get carved up like a turkey on Thanksgiving.

At the very least, JDR taking over the defense will be a change. Anything is better than just trying the same thing over and over and expecting different results — also known as the definition of insanity.

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