Las Vegas Raiders: Studs and Duds from 2021 Week 4 vs. Chargers

Las Vegas Raiders: Studs and Duds from 2021 Week 4 vs. Chargers

Studs – The defense until it wore down

This Raiders defense has the makings of a great unit as long as the offense can contribute. The Raider defense held up for much of the first half and kept the Charger offense at bay for several drives. They were unable to hold out forever and gave up three long drives for three scores in the first half.

They got little to no help from the offense as they went three and out time and time again and had trouble even flipping field position for the defense.

Still, this defense stepped up and played admirably and gave up just one touchdown in the second half as the Raiders attempted a furious comeback. They got to Justin Herbert consistently and were able to make some nice plays in coverage with some standouts being Trevon Moehrig and Casey Hayward.

The concern now is the injuries piling up in the defensive backfield as both Trayvon Mullen and Damon Arnette were unable to finish the game due to injury. The Chicago passing attack that the Raiders will face in Week Five is not the most intimidating but even they have weapons like Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney which will put the Raiders’ DBs under pressure.

What will help the Raiders defense next week, as it did to great effect against Justin Herbert, was the defensive line. The unit was able to generate mostly consistent pressure and was able to bring down the young QB twice in big spots.

The best part about this unit and the pressure they are creating is that everyone is getting involved. Week One was the Maxx Crosby show, Week Two was the Solomon Thomas show, Week Three was the Quinton Jefferson show, and this week was the Darius Philon show as he recorded two sacks against his former team.

Gus Bradley is scheming them up well and is generating pressure by rushing just four and the unit is responding with great production.