The Las Vegas Raiders (2-5) have one glaring issue and it is not the defense. Turnovers have been priority number one for this team as three-straight losses can be credited to the copious amount of giveaways that the offense is coughing up.
Yes, the Raiders defense is allowing a fifth-worst 26.7 points per game, but a good portion of those points have been due to opposing teams scoring directly following a turnover. The defensive effort overall this season has been solid, especially on third down
In Sunday’s 20-15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams (2-4), the Rams were just 2-10 on third conversions, punting six of their 11 drives. The defense stood on its head and played sensational when the offense was unable not find the endzone all game.
Raiders coach Antonio Pierce was asked on Monday about the defense’s performance and what must be improved to give it a better chance to get stops.
“I think one of the bright spots for our defense this year has been third down,” Pierce said. “If you look at each and every game, we’ve been right there. I don’t know where we are ranked in the National Football League, but I’m assuming in the top [half], we’ve done a good job of that. A lot of that goes into when you get them off the field on third down; that converges into special teams, right? And we need to get more positive yards with our returners and get 10-plus yards, give better field position for our offense. Because, I said before, we like to play that game — full-court defense, half-court offense — and our defense does a good job.”
Pierce would be absolutely correct regarding their third-down defense. The Raiders rank second in the NFL in opposing third down conversion percentage, only allowing a conversion 28.9% of the time. That is way too good for a defense that is bottom tier in most other categories.
“[Defensive Coordinator] Patrick Graham and [Senior Defensive Assistant] Rob Ryan, those guys come up with the third down and short yards report,” Pierce said. “[They] do a really good job of being detailed and dialed in, and our players really stood out yesterday on doing that, especially on short yardage.”
The Raiders’ biggest issue all season has been turnovers, and it has led to short field position for the opponent and caused the Raiders’ defense to give up more points than they should. It is much easier for an opposing offense to drive 30-40 yards to find points compared to a full-field 70-yard drive.