Defense needs to make Colts’ Brissett win game
INDIANAPOLIS >> There’s a sense of despair among the fan base, with the fear of another double-digit loss season looking like a distinct possibility as the Raiders play what is likely their final season in Oakland. And yet …
If the Raiders can beat the Indianapolis Colts today, they hit the quarter pole at 2-2 against an extremely difficult schedule.
It’s a schedule that won’t get any easier. The Raiders leave Indianapolis and head across the pond, spending the week in London preparing to face the Seattle Seahawks for a Week 5 “home” game at Tottenham Stadium.
The Colts are missing some key players, including linebacker Darius Leonard, safety Malik Hooker and probably wide receiver T.Y. Hilton. You could make the argument that one bad quarter against Kansas City and a quick 21-0 deficit against Minnesota made the Raiders look worse than they really are.
Five keys to beating the Colts and brightening the outlook of the 2019 season: MAKE JACOBY BRISSETT WIN THE GAME >> Brissett has been a revelation as the Colts starter after the surprise retirement of Andrew Luck late in the exhibition season. He’s been efficient, nearly mistake-free and made his share of big-time throws.
“Not a lot of teams have a superstar quarterback retire and can turn the ball over to a guy like this. Brissett is a winner,” Raiders coach Jon Gruden “He’s not your average Dayton Flyer, like me, I mean this guy is a hell of a player.”
Brissett is completing 71.7 percent of his passes (66 of 92) for 646 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception for a passer rating of 112.0. Luck would have been proud of those numbers.
Still, the Raiders are better off forcing Brissett to the air rather than being bludgeoned by a series of Marlon Mack power runs behind a big, experienced offensive line led by guard Quinton Nelson and comprised mostly of first-round draft picks.
The Raiders actually led the Colts 28-21 at the Col
iseum last year, but seemed to wear down under Mack’s pounding. Indianapolis ran away with a 42-28 win. If Mack has another 25 carries for 132 yards and two touchdowns, the Raiders are in trouble.
DON’T FALL TOO FAR BEHIND >> Face it, the Vikings game was over at 21-0. By the time it got to that point, Derek Carr had yet to throw the ball to Darren Waller or Tyrell Williams.
It’s an offense not geared for playing catch-up. Few are, frankly. The Minnesota game aside, the Raiders have been a pretty good first possession team offensively under Gruden. Openings like the one against Denver and in Week 2 against the Chiefs would go a long way toward building some confidence.
In those instances, the playbooks of Gruden and defensive coordinator Paul Guenther remain open, with more variety and less desperation. Even if the Raiders don’t start fast offensively, it’s imperative defense holds up its end. ATTACK THE COLTS WHERE THEY’RE WEAKEST >> Indianapolis prides itself on having a fundamentally sound defense. But it can be had through the air, and it’s a good opportunity for Carr to get back on track after two difficult games.
Opposing quarterbacks have a 115.4 passer rating against the Colts, completing 76.1 percent of their passes for 791 yards, seven touchdowns, two interceptions and a 8.2 yards per attempt.
Waller comes in with 26 receptions for 267 yards. Last week, tight end Austin Hooper of the Atlanta Falcons caught six passes for 66 yards and two touchdowns. The Colts gave up eight catches for 123 yards and a touchdown to Keenan Allen against the Chargers, eight catches for 128 yards and a touchdown to Julio Jones against the Falcons.
There should be opportunities for Carr to get J.J. Nelson and Williams downfield.
GET BETTER FIELD POSITION >> Against the Broncos, the Raiders’ average drive start was their own 29-yard line. That dropped to the 25 and against the Vikings it was the 22.
In 28 possessions over three games, the Raiders have started a drive in opposing territory exactly once — taking over at the Denver 30 in the second half courtesy of a Dwayne Harris kickoff return. It led to a field goal that helped put away the game.
The Raiders opened opposing drives at the 50 or better only eight times in 16 games last season. Those possessions brought three touchdowns, three field goals, a punt and one which the Raiders ended on downs with the ball.
“I used to sit in meetings as a young coach and Johnny Majors (at Tennessee) would take about nothing but field position,” Gruden said. “That’s the area of hidden yardage, the winning edge is field position. Until we start drives at midfield or plus side of he 50, it’s going to be hard to go 75, 80 yards every single time.”
A 72-yard kickoff return by Dwayne Harris in Week 1 is the only time the Raiders have started on the opponent’s side of the field.
HOPE FOR SOME VINATIERI KARMA >> Once upon a time, Adam Vinatieri connected on what Gruden called “the greatest clutch kick I have ever seen in this league.” It was made possible by the “Tuck Rule,” a low line drive that traveled 45 yards to force overtime en route to a 16-13 loss to the New England Patriots.
Some 17 years later, Vinatieri is 15 field goals shy of becoming the first player in NFL history to kick 600 field goals. If he gets that far.
Vinatieri missed five of his first eight kicks this season, including three extra-point attempts. The Colts worked out six kickers going into the Atlanta game, stuck with Vinatieri, and he made all five of his place kicks in a threepoint win. A 49-yard field goal, however, hit an upright and bounced in.
To Raiders fans, having Vinatieri miss a big kick would be small consolation for the pain he caused in 2002, but at this point they’ll take what they can get.