Sacks finally coming for defensive line
Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack had a critical sack of Geno Smith on Sunday, a play that also caused a fumble and likely kept the Giants from scoring just before halftime in Oakland’s 24-17 win at the Coliseum.
But the more satisfying sack and forced fumble in the Raiders’ 24-17 win may have belonged to linebacker Bruce Irvin, who was a teammate of Smith in college at West Virginia.
“I went two years and couldn’t hit Geno in practice,” Irvin said. “It felt good.”
Irvin’s strip-sack was also key, coming at Oakland’s 36yard line and leading to a 12play, 47-yard drive and 39-yard field goal by Giorgio Tavecchio.
Irvin rushed untouched off the right edge, knocking the ball from Smith’s hand. Irvin said that as he neared Smith, his eyes got “big, bro.”
“It was a big moment,” Irvin said. “We pride ourselves on turnovers. We haven’t been getting a lot this year, but they’re starting to come.”
Denico Autry added a fourth-quarter sack, and the Raiders have eight sacks in their past two games after totaling 14 sacks in their first 10. No Manning: Smith, starting instead of Eli Manning, played the entire game and completed 21 of 34 passes for 212 yards and a touchdown. NaVorro Bowman said he thought Smith “didn’t do bad.”
“He made the throws that he could,” Bowman said. “A couple guys dropped some balls for him. I think he’s able to improve and build off this week.”
The Giants last week opted to bench Manning, who has won two Super Bowls with the team, in favor of Smith. Bowman, for one, said he’d expected to see Manning at some point Sunday.
“I was really expecting them to kind of slide him back in there when it got close,” Bowman said. “I know he was itching. But I’m sure he’ll bounce back — or hang it up.” Under fire: On Sunday morning, ESPN reported that Giants head coach Ben McAdoo could be fired within 24 hours of Sunday’s game. McAdoo was asked about his job status after the Raiders’ win.
“I’m going to coach this team until I’m told I’m not coaching this team,” McAdoo said. “I’m going to show up (Monday) morning ready to work.” Rough day: Raiders punt returner Jalen Richard had a forgettable outing — he had one return for 20 yards, but also fumbled three times. The Raiders recovered all three but Richard did not look comfortable throughout the game.
“I hope it’s one of those that comes and goes and we don’t see again,” head coach Jack Del Rio said. “He’s been really reliable for us. Securing the ball is really important and I thought he was loose with it today.”
Richard described it as “just a rough day at work.” He said fellow running back Marshawn Lynch gave him some advice.
“‘Just f— it,’ ” Richard said. “That’s what he told me. Verbatim. He told me, ‘F— it.’ ” Matt Kawahara is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.