Oakland Raiders at Minnesota Vikings: 3 things we learned

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 22: Alexander Mattison #25 of the Minnesota Vikings leaps over defender Curtis Riley #35 of the Oakland Raiders for a touchdown in the third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

The Shaky Secondary

When looking at the box score, the Raiders actually won the passing battle 214-174, and Kirk Cousins did not particularly embarrass Oakland through the air. But when he did connect with the likes of Adam Thielen and Stephon Diggs, the manner in which it occurred gives potential causes for concern.

Diggs, in particular, bested Gareon Conley in a third-and-short situation, and to make matters worse Conley was called for the face mask in the ensuing aftermath. Thielen looked unguardable against Oakland’s secondary, and Karl Joseph had trouble with coverage throughout the game.

Getting called for an easy pass interference, not looking back, is concerning coming from a fourth-year veteran.

The secondary was meant to be a revamped unit of this defense, and plenty of money was dished out in free agency to accomplish just that. Through three weeks, the Raiders are second-worst in the NFL in passing yards allowed (granted, Patrick Mahomes did his thing in Week 2). But if this becomes a normal trend, then should the Raiders push for a shakeup in the secondary sooner rather than later?

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