Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins: Raiders defensive grades

The Oakland Raiders find themselves on the losing end once again after yet another second half collapse does them in. A lack of a pass rush is once again noticeable in this defeat.

The Oakland Raiders defense is like a sand castle. It looks good on the surface, but after a few hits it starts to collapse. That probably explains why they lost another game due to a second half collapse. The Raiders fell at the hands of the Miami Dolphins 28-20 in a game where they once again were the dominant team. Let me rephrase that. They were the dominant team through three quarters, which isn’t the recipe for winning football. Much like a defense without a pass rush is a recipe for disaster. If only the Raiders had a real threat in that group….

This story is just never going to go away so long as the defense continues to worsen as the game goes on. Once again, the defense looked fantastic in the first half. The Raiders front seven kept the Dolphins running game in check, which was a key matchup I mentioned in an article prior to this game. They immediately clogged the running lanes when they emerged, meeting the running back at the line of scrimmage. That shutdown allowed the Raiders to sit back in coverage while the Dolphins wasted time running play action. The defense never bit on it and stayed at home.

That was until the fourth quarter when the Dolphins went deep into their basket of plays and turned the tide. I’m talking bottom of the barrel of plays. They dialed up what looked like a regular running play to Frank Gore at first, but then tossed the ball to receiver Albert Wilson. At that point I’m sure the defense was thinking it was an end around, which is why Wilson had a receiver wide open for a pass. It was really a great design and play call. There was no preparing for that. At that point, it’s just on safety Marcus Gilchrist to make the tackle since he’s the last line of defense.

The main ingredient that cooked up a second half collapse for the Oakland Raiders defense was big plays. They let up too many at crucial times. It was a lack of discipline on their part. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther struggled to have any answers to slow them down. It’s a bit concerning considering it was Ryan Tannehill they were going up against. It really all dwells down to a lack of pass rush once again. The Raiders only got to Tannehill once all game. He was unbothered in the pocket all game long. It’s not like he has anyone to fear on the edge for the Raiders. Even though Tannehill isn’t a great quarterback, he is serviceable. If you give him time he will likely find an open receiver, which explains why he only had six incompletions the whole game. The corners can only stay in coverage for so long.

Blitzes are hit or miss. It’s either going to be a home run for you or the opposing offense since you’re leaving the back end of your defense vulnerable. It’s already vulnerable as it is when Guenther continues to play safety Reggie Nelson. All three games Nelson has been trailing someone that led to a score. The worst part is that Guenther isn’t going to sit him either. That’s his guy. The only way he doesn’t see the field is if he gets injured. Thankfully he didn’t in this game because the safety position was stretched thin at different points of this game. Don’t forget that this was yet another high temperature game played.

Depth is crucial when these are the conditions. The secondary played okay, but too many let ups in the fourth quarter once again diminishes all their valiant efforts in the first half. Other than eliminating the run, the defense just didn’t do enough. No turnovers. No real highlights. This is both on the players and coaches. Another second half collapse for the Oakland Raiders earns their defense the grade that follows.

Grade: F