Raiders: Keys to victory against the Titans in 2022 Week 3
Effective Play Action
At times Josh Jacobs and the Raiders rushing attack has been very effect. Other times they’ve been mediocre and head coach Josh McDaniels has strayed away from it. One thing we have seen used more often and more effectively though so far is what the team has done getting the running backs the ball through the air. Just as much as an aggressive passing game can set up screens, an effective running game can set up the play action.
As previously mentioned, the Titans defense has shown a good number of blitzes thus far in the first two weeks of the season. One thing defensive coordinator Shane Bowen seems to like to utilize is blitzing his corners and safeties off the edge. Do it all free safety Kevin Byard was used multiple times in this situation and found success doing so on both Daniel Jones and Josh Allen.
If the Raiders can get the run game going early and effectively, it’ll force the Titans defense to respect it and play closer in the box. Dialing up different blitzes to try and stop the run game will ultimately free up the middle of the field for plays such as Darren Waller up the seam that Carr loves to target, or Hunter Renfrow dragging over the middle and finding gaps in the defense as he so often does.
Raiders vs Cardinals 2022 Week 2: What surprised us in the 29-23 loss
The Raiders fall short in Week 2 against the Cardinals, with a lead of 23-7 at the top of the fourth quarter, the Raiders weren't able to shut the door.
The Raiders have been successful in the run game and successful in the passing game. Unfortunately, it seems to be at different times as individual entities. If they can succeed with one to set up the other and vice versa, we could easily see the Raiders come away with their first victory of the season.
For more on this weeks matchup against the Titans, check out my podcast Raider Take Podcast anywhere podcasts are found!