It’s a new season, but the Raiders are back to one of their old ways again on defense. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther has improved the play of his linebackers and secondary, but the Raiders’ pass rush has been barely existent through four games outside of 3.5 sacks recorded by Benson Mayowa.
According to a report in The Athletic on Friday, the Raiders are the fifth-worst team in the league this year at pressuring the quarterback without blitzing. They have hurried or sacked opposing quarterbacks on only 12.7% of plays without blitzing.
What’s worse is the Raiders haven’t been any better when they do blitz.
According to Sportradar data, the Raiders have blitzed on 18.2% of plays – which is less frequently than all but four teams. But when they do blitz, the Raiders are netting 9.4 yards given up per play – which is disastrous. Only three teams (Eagles, Rams, Giants) have been worse. The Raiders are also one of only four teams giving up first downs on more than half of their blitzes.
Another strange dynamic to the Raiders pass rush is that Mayowa, who is responsible for 70% of the team’s sacks this year, but has played only 56 snaps. By comparison, Clelin Ferrell has played 218 snaps. Mayowa is the only edge defender on the Raiders roster that has earned a Pro Football Focus pass-rushing grade of better than 61.0 and he has topped that number by a wide margin (79.8).
Whatever is going on with the Raiders pass rush, it’s become the most disappointing dynamic of the team. Again.
If Guenther plans to follow the Raiders to Las Vegas next year, there’s nothing he needs to figure out sooner than how to get to the quarterback. Ideally, that will happen this week and the Raiders can prove to their fans (and the Bears) that they still know how to sack a quarterback – even without Khalil Mack.
twitter: @raidersbeat
I wish some of the retards that believe Gruden did rite by trading Mack would use a lil common sense n realize how truly valuable Mack was 2 our team. He made the line better, n entire D. He also creates more 4 Raiders as i have pointed out Mack being there drew free agents 2 team, n 4 less money n the manner in which Gruden traded Mack has ripple effects that will plague Raiders 4 many years 2 come