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Oakland Raiders: 5 keys to victory vs. Kansas City Chiefs

By John Buhler

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 8: Defensive end Khalil Mack No. 52 of the Oakland Raiders reaches out to strip the ball from quarterback Alex Smith No. 11 of the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium during the third quarter of the game on December 8, 2016 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 8: Defensive end Khalil Mack No. 52 of the Oakland Raiders reaches out to strip the ball from quarterback Alex Smith No. 11 of the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium during the third quarter of the game on December 8, 2016 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 15: Derek Carr No. 4 of the Oakland Raiders looks to pass against the Los Angeles Chargers during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 15, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 15: Derek Carr No. 4 of the Oakland Raiders looks to pass against the Los Angeles Chargers during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 15, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Bring back the play-action pass

The biggest departure from Bill Musgrave‘s offense to Todd Downing’s has been the lack of play-action passing concepts. Sure, going from a power blocking scheme to a zone blocking scheme in the running game hasn’t helped, but the Raiders are supposed to be infinitely better in the passing game.

Carr has been anything but an MVP level player this year. Outside of No. 2 wide receiver Michael Crabtree, the Raiders’ passing game has been a massive disappointment in the first third of the season. Amari Cooper isn’t himself in this new offense. Jared Cook hasn’t been used as much as many thought he would be at tight end.

The play-action is important to the Raiders offense for so many reasons. One, it allows this renegade, never say die team to stay in games late with a quick aerial strike. Two, Carr is not the most accurate passer in the league and needs to play-action to create better throwing lanes. And three, the Raiders might have a running back corps that can rush for over 100 yards a game, but few teams truly fear it.

In essence, the play-action pass, if run properly, could give the Raiders the balance it has been longing for on offense this season. Having fullback Jamize Olawale back as a lead blocker could help in the running game, but this has to be a pass-first team in Oakland to even think about winning on Thursday Night Football in Week 7.

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