4 reasonable expectations for the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6

4 reasonable expectations for the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6

Raiders defense force at least one turnover.

The Raiders’ defense has played so much better than the expectations for them were, but unfortunately, the offense has put them in some terrible positions on the field in which they have let up points.  Denzel Perryman leads the NFL in tackles with 60, Maxx Crosby plays with the same energy from the first whistle to the last, Yannick Ngakoue finally broke through and got two sacks on Justin Fields, and veteran Casey Hayward has been one of the best corners in the entire league so far this season.

Not to mention that Johnathan Abram has quietly been much improved in his new role this season.

But even with the defense playing well, there are still areas where they can improve. One thing is red-zone defense, as they have yet to stop a team from scoring a touchdown once they get into the red zone and turnovers.  In Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens, the Raiders forced two fumbles against Lamar Jackson, then in Week 2, Trayvon Mullen intercepted Ben Roethlisberger after pressure forced a bad throw.

However, in Week 3 through 5,  the Raiders defense has generated a combined total of zero turnovers.  Gus Bradley has preached all offseason to the defense to “ball out,” meaning get the ball out of the offense’s hands. Ngakoue said himself on Sunday after the game that they need to do a better job at creating turnovers.

I expect the defense to get at least one turnover on the game against Teddy Bridgewater, most likely a strip-sack, as Bridgewater is a quarterback who does not take many risks.