Was the Oakland Raiders offensive line play in Week 1 fool’s gold?

The Oakland Raiders offensive line looked impressive Week 1 against the Denver Broncos, however, the last couple of weeks have diminished the significance of that performance.

After an impressive week one performance against the Denver Broncos, the Oakland Raiders offensive line received plenty of praise, of which I am certainly guilty of. The unit didn’t allow a sack or quarterback hit against a team, that in recent years, has been known for its prolific pass rush.

However, the two games after the season opener, the play of the offensive line makes the Week 1 performance look like a fluke for the group.

On paper, Denver should have an elite pass rush with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb leading the way. The duo combined for 71 quarterback pressures a year ago, however, this season has been a different story.

In three games, those two have just five pressures, and the Broncos are the only team in the NFL without a sack. Considering the Broncos opponents in their two contests since Week 1, the Bears and Packers, provides more eye-opening insight into the Raiders pass protection.

Before squaring off against Denver, Chicago and Green Bay combined to allow 12 sacks in three games. Obviously, neither NFC North team gave up a sack to the Broncos, suggesting the Mile High pass rush and Oakland’s offensive line aren’t as effective as previously thought.

In the last two weeks, the Raiders big men seem to have come back down to earth. According to Pro Football Focus, the Silver and Black’s line only allowed three pressures in the first game of the season, and have given up 25 the last two weeks (13 in week two and 12 in week three).

Along the same lines, Oakland has posted team PFF pass blocking grades of: 78.0, 48.6 and 60.9, in each week.

After showing potential to become an elite group, the team appears to be nothing more than average up front.

The silver lining for the Raiders offensive line is help is on the way. Part of the reason the unit has struggled in the last two weeks is the play of reserve guards, Denzelle Good and Jordan Devey. Those two have combined to allow nine of the team’s 25 pressures in the last couple contests, and have posted the lowest and third lowest PFF pass blocking grades of any offensive lineman (minimum 32 snaps) in that timeframe.

Clearly Oakland was missing its starting guards, Richie Incognito and Gabe Jackson.

Incognito fared very well in his debut this weekend as he only allowed one pressure against the Vikings. Reports are that Jackson is recovering quickly and will be back sooner than expected. Between the 37-year old’s debut and the six-year veteran’s impending return, there is reason to believe the Raiders offensive line can improve.

However, the turnaround needs to happen quickly or it might be too late.