Just Blog Baby
FanSided

5 storylines for the 2019 Oakland Raiders at midseason

By Kenny King

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 03: A general view during the Oakland Raiders game against the Detroit Lions at RingCentral Coliseum on November 03, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 03: A general view during the Oakland Raiders game against the Detroit Lions at RingCentral Coliseum on November 03, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – SEPTEMBER 29: Lamarcus Joyner #29 of the Oakland Raiders reacts after making a tackle for a loss during the fourth quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – SEPTEMBER 29: Lamarcus Joyner #29 of the Oakland Raiders reacts after making a tackle for a loss during the fourth quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /

Raiders Defense still needs help

During free agency, the Raiders were sure to address the defense, adding veterans Lamarcus Joyner, Vontaze Burfict, Nevin Lawson, Josh Mauro and Benson Mayowa. They drafted Clelin Ferrell, Johnathan Abram, Maxx Crosby, Trayvon Mullen and Isaiah Johnson as well.

In the opening game of the season, the Raiders defense was dominant, as the Broncos could barely establish a drive, and wide receivers feared coming into contact with rookie safety Johnathan Abram. Unfortunately, Abram tore his labrum in the Denver game and was sidelined for the remainder of the season.

The following two weeks the Raiders defense was exposed through the air and on the ground, allowing an embarrassing 852 total yards in that span. The Raiders bounced back the following week, and while the defense was dominant, it took another sobering blow, losing veteran captain Vontaze Burfict for the season for a helmet to helmet hit on Colts tight end Jack Doyle.

The Raiders defense has gone through a some adjustments since then, trading away former first round pick Gareon Conley to the Texans for a third round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and activating rookie corner Isaiah Johnson from injured reserve after suffering a facial injury in the home opener. While the Raiders defense has been spotty at best, they truly showed that they could come together when it mattered, and Karl Joseph and Clelin Ferrell saved the Raiders win on November 3rd.

dark. Next. Chargers at Raiders: 3 bold predictions

Home/Las Vegas Raiders News