The Las Vegas Raiders didn’t have their best defensive performance last Thursday in the preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals, but the offense shined. In the 27-14 loss, the first- and second-team offense both scored touchdowns, and the second group also got into field goal range.
What was prominently on display and most exciting from the contest was Klint Kubiak's ability to scheme open receivers for his quarterbacks. The running game was also effective in moving the football on the ground, which was highlighted by a huge play by Mike Washington Jr.
While the defense still needs to figure out how it wants to execute its scheme, Kubiak's offense has a chance to lead this team to more wins than expected. This reality showed itself against Arizona, as fans got to see Kubiak find ways to exploit matchups all over the field.
Raiders' Klint Kubiak uses motion to create matchups in the passing game
Where fans saw a big difference from previous Raiders play-callers was the use of motion to create easy matchups in the passing game. On the first drive, Kubiak helped Kirk Cousins dissect the Cardinals' secondary for easy gains and a touchdown.
The first example was the 16-yard completion to Tre Tucker. Arizona's quarters coverage has certain rules and responsibilities. Before the motion, the Cardinals' outside linebacker to the left is on the line of scrimmage.
Cousins sends Tucker in motion before the snap, moving the linebacker and forcing him to play man in the slot. Tucker runs a choice route where he can slant, out, or hitch based on the leverage of the LB.
This creates an easy matchup for Tucker, who runs an out and gets an accurate ball from Cousins for 16 yards.
The second example was the touchdown pass to Michael Mayer. Mayer is lined up in-line, but off the line of scrimmage. The Raiders are running a West Coast staple called choice/shallow with Mayer on the choice route. Tucker will be motioning into the run-the-shallow.
When Tucker motions, it moves cornerback Will Johnson with him. When the ball is snapped, Mayer has a slow release to allow Tucker to run the shallow. It confuses the Cardinals' secondary, and Bech occupies the furthest outside corner. It leads to an easy touchdown for Mayer.
All of these motions help exploit the defense. That is how Kubiak created explosive plays in Seattle. Las Vegas has lacked explosive plays, so this will be a welcome change for Raider Nation.
As fans can see, Kubiak will make the offense easy for quarterbacks. Whether it is Cousins or Mendoza, the Silver and Black's new head coach can create easy reads that open up the offense.
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