Buy or Sell is a weekly series that will examine statements about the Oakland Raiders and provide a “buy” or “sell” response. This is the Week 6 edition.
After a gut-punching loss to Kansas City Chiefs, the Oakland Raiders were given a harsh reality check. No longer was the offense able to bail out the league’s worst defense, and the Raiders were simply outplayed in all three phases of the game.
With both wins and losses, the fanbase tends to have overreactions, but that is especially true in defeat.
Let’s examine some of the thoughts and opinions that have been discussed by Raider Nation in the days following the ugly loss.
A statement will be given, and the answer will be given in a Buy/Sell format.
It’s time to fire Ken Norton Jr.
Buy.
It’s time. The Oakland Raiders should part ways with second-year defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr.
The Raiders have a historically bad defense through six weeks, allowing 444.8 total yards per game. That is the worst mark in the NFL by about 25 yards per game.
312.7 of those yards per game are surrendered through the air, which is also worst in the league. The run defense hasn’t been much better — 130.2 yards allowed per game, ranked 30th.
Oakland has allowed an average of 27.2 points per game, ranked 24th and they are ranked 28th in sacks, with 8. The Raiders have yielded the third most 1st down conversions, with 137 on the season.
They’ve been strong in the turnover department, tied for 10th in interceptions and tied for 1st in forced fumbles, but the defense is near the bottom of any possible defensive category that exists.
And even outside of the numbers, there is plenty of reason to let Norton Jr. go. The biggest being his unwillingness/inability to make adjustments.
Quarter after quarter, game after game, Norton is simply not interested in making adjustments. And that is a major sign of an inept coach.