Offensive coordinator Todd Downing continues to struggle as a first-time play caller. Head coach Jack Del Rio still proves he is inadequate in game planning.
It’s nothing new when it comes to games within your division. They are always must-win, every player and coach knows that. However, it didn’t look that way when the Oakland Raiders took on the Denver Broncos this past Sunday at Mile High Stadium.
The Raiders remained consistent with their play from the previous week against the Washington Redskins. The offense didn’t show up once again and remains on a milk carton as the face of the missing person space.
Speaking of missing, the offensive line has been missing blocks left and right. That’s two weeks in a row that this high-priced line have been outplayed. The running game couldn’t get going because every time Marshawn Lynch was handed the ball he was met with defenders in his face.
Pressure was once again in Derek Carr‘s face, as he still looked inaccurate aside from the touchdown scoring drive. Amari Cooper might as well stop buying gloves because they are clearly not working.
The players are indeed under-performing and aren’t being consistent enough with their positive play. This all stems from the coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Todd Downing is calling plays for the first time in his career, so there are going to be hiccups along the way. But the play we have seen the last two weeks has just been atrocious.
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The defense knows what’s coming. Lynch being met with defenders the moment he is handed the ball is one example of the predictability of Downing. He must do a better job with his game prep leading up to the week and be able to adjust accordingly in the game. That is what successful coaches do, adjust and create other ways to get the ball in your play makers hands.
Downing looked incredible through the first two games by calling an offense that scored 26 and 45 points through two games. The last two have been only 20 points. Hopefully Downing can grow and get better from this, because these last two games bring up questions. Was Downing the right man to continue this offense? Or did Jack Del Rio jump the gun by firing former offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave?
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Here is what head coach Del Rio did jump the gun on. The fourth and 11 fake punt play was a desperate and idiotic move. The game wasn’t at a loss at this point, but from that call Del Rio thought otherwise. Perhaps because Carr had left the game with a back injury.
What does Del Rio actually do for this team other than give speeches, slap hands and make a call on fourth down? He doesn’t scheme anything up defensively and he certainly isn’t stepping into the offensive side.
Del Rio’s plan on defense is hope Khalil Mack and the defensive line make a stop and pray. It is a plan he has been doing since he took over. This is why whenever the Raiders play teams with highly regarded coaches, they always lose. Del Rio and the coaching staff are being out-schemed and it’s not even close.
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Both Downing and Del Rio need to figure out how they are going to correct this teams problems. Without Carr this Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens at home and possibly the foreseeable future. It doesn’t seem likely that they bounce back into form this week.