The Raiders fell 30-27 to the Chiefs on Sunday, and for Klint Kubiak’s offensive line it was an up-and-down day against Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.
The running game never got going against the Chiefs and it was clear after the game that Kubiak isn’t happy with where the Raiders’ running game is right now.
At times, though, the Raiders were able to pass protect for Kirk Cousins and Pro Football Focus gave Tyler Linderbaum, D.J. Glaze and Spencer Burford above average pass-blocking grades against the Chiefs.
According to PFF analytics, Linderbaum, Glaze and Burford gave up a combined five quarterback pressures on Sunday, while Caleb Rogers and Kolton Miller combined to give up 11.
Raiders got Burford’s best game of the season vs. Chiefs
Last week, Burford was somewhat of a talking point after a dreadful pass-blocking performance against the Saints, and there was some conversation about whether he might be pushed for playing time by Caleb Rogers.
“Burford, I don’t think is playing elite. I think his job is in jeopardy for another opportunity for a guard situation,” Raider Nation Radio host ‘JT the Brick’ said last week.
But against the Chiefs, Burford was the Raiders’ highest-graded offensive lineman (PFF).
After putting up an embarrassing run blocking grade at New Orleans in week 3 (PFF grade: 4.0), Burford bounced back with an 81.0 run blocking grade and 68.8 pass blocking grade against the Chiefs. He gave up just one quarterback pressure in 57 pass plays on the day.
Glaze the second-best offensive lineman on the team?
Going into the season, there were some who thought Glaze might lose his starting job to third-round pick Trey Zuhn.
The Raiders considered trading up for Zuhn in this year’s draft, according to Sports Illustrated insider Hondo Carpenter, but ended up drafting the versatile O-lineman without moving up.
For a few weeks in the offseason, there was a lot of buzz around Zuhn and how he might wiggle into the starting lineup right away. In OTAs and training camp, the coaching staff played Zuhn all over the offensive line, including Glaze’s right tackle spot.
But Glaze ended up winning the job and through the first four games of the season, the third-year tackle has given up only four quarterback pressures and one sack.
If anyone has blown past expectations along the Raiders’ offensive line in the first month of the season, it has been Glaze.
x: @raidersbeat
What I saw of Burford was him getting his tail whipped run, blocking and pass protection. Linderbaum, when trying to help him opened up room for the second Teir 2 make plays. I thought Rogers played extremely well. Miller was working his *** off but getting beat repeatedly.. leaving Mayer on an island to block out on the end was the worst plan ever and they never changed it.
But the bottom line is that special team’s fail on fourth down, Thomas getting the ball punched out and taking the three off the board were the three things that cost us that game.