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5 takeaways from Raiders’ Week 16 loss to Eagles

By John Buhler

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 25: Chris Long No. 56 of the Philadelphia Eagles strips the ball from Derek Carr No. 4 of the Oakland Raiders in the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 25, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Raiders 19-10. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 25: Chris Long No. 56 of the Philadelphia Eagles strips the ball from Derek Carr No. 4 of the Oakland Raiders in the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 25, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Raiders 19-10. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 25: Jihad Ward No. 95 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates with Khalil Mack No. 52 and Darius Latham No. 75 after a sack in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 25, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Raiders 19-10. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 25: Jihad Ward No. 95 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates with Khalil Mack No. 52 and Darius Latham No. 75 after a sack in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 25, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Raiders 19-10. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

John Pagano should have been the defensive coordinator from Week 1.

Why didn’t this happen sooner? John Pagano has come in these last few weeks and has begun to transform this Raiders defense. Almost as soon as he took over for Ken Norton Jr., the Oakland pass rush came to life in a way it hadn’t all year. Khalil Mack got back to being elite. Bruce Irvin started to look like a Pro Bowler. Denico Autry has become the third piece in the pass-rushing puzzle.

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Though the Raiders only sacked Nick Foles twice on Monday night, the pressure by the Raiders’ front-seven was key in keeping this game close. Irvin’s hands helped Raiders safety Reggie Nelson pick off Foles’ errant pass. Nelson had easily his best game of the season for the Raiders. He looked like the Pro Bowl version of himself from a year ago.

Yes, the wind at Lincoln Financial Field was a huge factor in this game. However, we have to give the Raiders defense a ton of credit for how hard those guys played. They held the Eagles offense to 216 total yards, including just 78 on the ground. The Raiders dominated the Eagles on third down defense, as Philadelphia only converted on one of its 14 third-down attempt. Too bad the Eagles converted both of their fourth-down tries.

Next: Oakland Raiders 2018 NFL Draft: 5 draft needs

A lot changes could be on the horizon for the Raiders heading into 2018. If there was one positive to come out of this slot season for the Silver and Black, it is that they have the right guy running their defense finally. Hopefully Pagano is here to stay. The defense needs about two or three more pieces, but you are seeing the progress that is coming from his tutelage. This is what good coaching looks like, guys!

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