5 offensive stats the Oakland Raiders need to improve on in 2019
First Half Point Differential
Coming back in the NFL is very difficult, so if you’re able to gain a decent lead by halftime, you significantly increase your chances of winning. The Peyton Manning‘s Colts excelled at jumping on teams in the first half. Then Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis would terrorize offenses because of their opponent’s need to pass almost every down to comeback. In the AFC West, we saw this with the Chiefs (1st) and Chargers (7th) who were able to play a very similar style.
The Raiders were 28th in first-half points (8.8) and far too often found themselves playing catch up which considerably lowered their margin for error and made them predictable on offense.
The Raiders defense will, of course, play a roll in point differential, but for the offense, they need to establish themselves from the opening kickoff. It will lead to more balance with the offensive play calling and allow the defense to play more aggressive when it comes to pressure and creating turnovers.