Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Las Vegas Raiders: 4 things we learned
Time to fire Paul Guenther
Paul Guenther has been on the hot seat all summer, and he survived a bit longer than expected after the defense came through with a great performance in the second half against Kansas City but it’s time to cut him loose. After the Tampa game, the Raiders defense has now given up at least 30 points in five of their six games this season and has been absolutely shredded by most opposing quarterbacks.
The game against Tampa was especially bad, as Tom Brady had all day to sit back in the pocket and tear apart the defense. Brady was not sacked on Sunday and the Raiders registered just one quarterback hit all day, which was more of a love tap by Mo Hurst.
They could not generate any pressure against a statuesque quarterback who no longer has the ability to escape the pocket. The Tampa offensive line has been good at protecting Brady all season and he still has the quick release to avoid sacks but to not even bother him is inexcusable.
The defense has been a major issue all season and has been decidedly worse than the 2019 unit with much less talent at nearly every position group. The Raiders don’t have the talent to be the ’85 Bears but not being able to put up any resistance puts the offense in an unmanageable position. Changes are needed on that side of the ball and it must start with the man calling the defensive plays.