Todd Downing needs to keep the offense consistent

The Oakland Raiders offense finally came alive in a win over the rival Kansas City Chiefs. Can Todd Downing establish consistency within the offense?

The Oakland Raiders finally got a win after what was a long and frustrating month of losing. Todd Downing and the offense stepped up in their most crucial game of the season. Playing against the Kansas City Chiefs on a short week was not in favor of the Raiders, despite being at home. There was little hope that Downing would be able to gameplan properly for the game, but that wasn’t the case.

Andy Reid and company looked like the team that didn’t get to gameplan. When you’re a visiting team on a short week, it makes sense that the game planning wasn’t going to go in depth. Downing took perfect advantage of it and now he must do the same against the Buffalo Bills this Sunday. Downing has an extra few days to concoct a formula that will crack the Bills defense. What should go into that formula is the plays he called against the Chiefs.

Play-action was a word unknown to Downing, but he dialed up nine of them with one leading to a touchdown, according to Pro Football Focus. On top of that, he allowed Derek Carr to attempt 10 deep passes (20 yards or more). That amount equaled his season total prior, according to Pro Football Focus.

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Amari Cooper reminded us he is still one of the top downfield receivers by putting up video game type numbers. It was enlightening to see him be the focal point of the game and break his slump. He was targeted 19 times, a career high for him.

If Downing can keep the offense rolling in this fashion while adjusting to the opposing defenses weaknesses, then this offense will be completely revived. This offense has the talent to be elite. There are no excuses as to why they can’t be, which is why the losing streak was an embarrassment. Now that Downing has proven he knows how to use his players he has to maintain its consistency.

He deserves credit for setting the offense up in the win against the Chiefs, but now he has to keep it. Reverting back to how the offense was during the losing streak will not get it done. This Sunday’s game on the road against the Bills will be revealing. How does Downing respond to his best game of the season?

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The Bills are no slouch. Their offense will be thrashing the Raiders’ defense all game. It will be a throwback to last season where Carr and the offense carry the team. Will Downing hold the offense back? Or will he continue the success this Sunday? All we can do now is wait and see until game day.

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