Problems with the Defense, IMHO

Sure, some will say "the defense played well today, they only allowed 16 points!" The problem is, that's all the opposing team needed to win. So that's not exactly something to be proud of.

That they beat us with 16 points speaks poorly of our offense, not our defense.

when 100 yd games are the measuring stick in the nfl thats not too bad.Enough to keep the defense honest if you had a passing game.


In my opinion, every fumble negates about 50 yards of production. Therefore, Portis is -5 yards today in my eyes. I mean ussually the guy is VERY good about keeping the ball protected and what not, but he was way off today.

Not sure about the -50 yds but i did say his fumbles hurt us.Bottom line no tds today and a very weak passing game that is not likely to improve anytime soon.

That they beat us with 16 points speaks poorly of our offense, not our defense.

I see. So with the score tied, and 5:41 left to play in the game, it doesn't speak poorly of the defense when they allowed an 11-play drive, using up all but one minute and twelve seconds, and giving up the game winning points?

You'll have to explain that one to me.

I see. So with the score tied, and 5:41 left to play in the game, it doesn't speak poorly of the defense when they allowed an 11-play drive, using up all but one minute and twelve seconds, and giving up the game winning points?

You'll have to explain that one to me.
not sure what the average is in the nfl ,but it cant be much less than 16 pts.Thats not a bad effort.No tds on offense is horrible against a twenty something ranked def.

This defense is still very strong against the run, but until we get a big-time rush end who can get pressure on the QB without having to resort to the blitz, we will continue to give up big plays in the passing game. Losing Griffin has hurt significantly, because there is little penetration up the middle without him. As for the Raiders' biggest play, what the heck was that call? Asking Lemar Marshall to cover Jerry Porter 40 yards downfield is a recipe for disaster.

This defense is still very strong against the run, but until we get a big-time rush end who can get pressure on the QB without having to resort to the blitz, we will continue to give up big plays in the passing game. Losing Griffin has hurt significantly, because there is little penetration up the middle without him. As for the Raiders' biggest play, what the heck was that call? Asking Lemar Marshall to cover Jerry Porter 40 yards downfield is a recipe for disaster.

Yep, stopping the run is supposed to be one of the key ingredients for victory. Lately, we've done a good job in run defense, but still find ways to lose. Apparently, that theory is out the window. You can still win the game if you can't run the ball, as long as you get three takeaways.

As for the Raiders' biggest play, what the heck was that call? Asking Lemar Marshall to cover Jerry Porter 40 yards downfield is a recipe for disaster.

Seemed like there were several occasions when the closest person to Porter was Lemar. What was that all about?

Why is everybody ripping the def. this week there the only ones who scored a td for us this week.More than our pitiful offense scored.

Games are won with points, not yardage. Don't look at turnovers as lost production yardage-wise, but instead, focus on field position, points produced off turnovers, and scoring opportunities lost by turnovers in or near the red-zone. Portis' first fumble led directly to Oakland's first field goal. His second fumble was on a first down at the Oakland 30, negating at least a very good opportunity at a FG. Oakland eventually punted after the 2nd fumble, pinning the Skins at their own 10. At a minimum, the two fumbles ended up being a 6 point swing on the scoreboard, and that's the difference of the game. The hidden story of this team's collapse is less about the defense and more about losing the turnover battle every week.



In my opinion, every fumble negates about 50 yards of production. Therefore, Portis is -5 yards today in my eyes. I mean ussually the guy is VERY good about keeping the ball protected and what not, but he was way off today.