Oakland Raiders: 5 keys to victory vs. New York Jets
By John Buhler
Get the tight ends more involved in passing game
Offensive coordinator Todd Downing is creating a more free-flowing offense for quarterback Derek Carr to run in 2017. One area Downing had emphasized during camp was getting his tight ends more involved in the passing game.
While new tight end Jared Cook had a fine day in Week 1 with five catches for 56 yards, Lee Smith and Clive Walford didn’t even have a target. That was understandable against the Titans, who have a solid front-seven defensively. However, this game against the Jets could be one where the passing game of Oakland’s gets a little more versatile.
The Jets defense not only has good players along the defensive line, but may have one of the most underrated secondaries in football by season’s end. New York’s weakness defensively has to be at linebacker now that long-time Jet David Harris plays for the rival New England Patriots.
Being able to occasionally move the sticks with Cook, Smith and Walford between the hash marks could take some pressure of the outside for the Oakland receivers. Spreading the ball around could be key in Carr’s ability to carve up the Jets defense on his way to victory.