QB Watson poses unique challenges
HOUSTON >> Hunter Renfrow knows what the Raiders are up against.
The last time Renfrow caught a pass from Deshaun Watson, it was a 2-yard touchdown with one second to play that delivered a 3531 national championship win for Clemson against Alabama at the close of the 2016 season.
Watson entered the draft and is one of the NFL’S top young quarterbacks for the Houston Texans, who host the Raiders today. Renfrow played two more seasons for the Tigers before joining the Raiders this season as a fifth-round draft pick.
“He’s always risen to the occasion whenever the time came,” Renfrow said. “In my experi
ence, he’s very composed, very cool, always the calmest on the field. Hopefully he’s none of that this week — all jittery and throwing it to our guys.”
Renfrow was kidding, and the Raiders realize that one week after being taken apart by Aaron Rodgers, they face one of the NFL’S transcendent talents at quarterback. Watson, 24, has passed for 1,952 yards and 13 touchdowns in seven games. The Texans are 4-3, the Raiders 3-3, and depending on how the season plays out, it’s a game that could have playoff ramifications down the road.
Raiders coach Jon Gruden said it’s too early for all that. Dealing with Watson in the here and now is enough of a challenge. “He can escape, he can run for touchdowns, not just first downs,” Gruden said. “He’s throwing the ball better than he’s thrown it at any point in his career, and they’re using a lot of different receivers.”
Cornerback Daryl Worley said Watson is like Rodgers only younger and a better runner.
“He uses his legs a lot more,” Worley said. “He’s able stretch the field with his legs and also do it with his arm. He’s a very dangerous guy and playing at a high clip right now.”
Asked if Watson’s ability to escape presented a dilemma in terms of knowing to come off a receiver, Worley rejected the premise all together.
“You don’t,” Worley said. Five keys for the Raiders if they hope to come off a five-game trip (including a ‘home’ game in London) with a 4-3 record and assert themselves as postseason contenders:
GET THE CARR STARTED >> Even in a game in which he completed 22 of 28 passes, quarterback Derek Carr missed a couple of early throws. He’ll need to be on his game immediately against Houston and may have to carry more of the load.
Running back Josh Jacobs, the Raiders’ heralded rookie runner, didn’t practice until Friday in a walkthrough. He’s expected to play, but no one knows for how long. The healthy way for the Raiders to look at it is anything they get from Jacobs is a bonus.
And while the plan would be to keep the offense as balanced as possible with Deandre Washington and Jalen Richard if Jacobs is on the sidelines, Carr needs to step up and have his best game. Houston hasn’t given up 100 yards to an individual runner in 23 games.
That means no ill-advised scrambles with his left arm extended to the pylon. No end zone interceptions. Cool, efficient, mistake-free football. Deliver a big play or two to Tyrell Williams and Darren Waller, but mostly control the tempo, pile up the completions and get the Raiders in the end zone.
An 18-point loss to Green Bay included three red zone possessions that ended without points — including one at the 2 and one at the 1-yard line.
Based on what went down at Lambeau Field, it’s a hugely important game for Carr. He’s 28 years old, and if Carr gets decisively outplayed by the 24-yearold Watson, it gives Gruden something to think about for the future.
PROTECT AND SERVE >> Jacobs or no Jacobs, the Raiders should at least have the offensive line they projected to be their starting five on the field at the same time — left tackle Kolton Miller, left guard Richie Incognito, center Rodney Hudson, right guard Gabe Jackson and right tackle Trent Brown.
And even if the Raiders find the going rough in terms of running the ball, 1- or 2-yard gains can mean something when the alternative is a negative play which ruins down and distance.
Bigger than that will be protecting Carr, who is adept at getting rid of the ball quickly but in this game may need to wait a splitsecond longer for receivers to clear and do some damage downfield.
Throughout their history, good Raiders teams have been had strong offensive lines. This could be one of their best in years, and it’s a statement game with everybody finally on the field. IT’S TAKEAWAY TIME >> The Raiders have three interceptions, Erik Harris against Indianapolis and Nick Morrow and Gareon Conley (now with the Texans) against Chicago. Each pass was pretty much thrown directly to the defender, one by Jacoby Brissett, the other two by Chase Daniel.
Opponents have lost only two fumbles to go with the five interceptions. The Raiders are at minus-3 in turnover margin, and if they actually hope to be a postseason contender, that’s not going to cut it.
Watson is unafraid to stand and deliver even in the face of the rush to the likes of Deandre Hopkins, one of the NFL’S most surehanded receivers. Kenny Stills is also having an excellent year for Houston.
But that leaves opportunities for the Raiders on two fronts — getting Watson for a sack fumble (he was sacked 62 times last season, has been sacked 21 times in seven games) — or winning a contested pass for an interception.
Mullen, in his first start in place of Conley, figures to be tested early and often. The Raiders believe he’s improved at tracking balls in flight.
Raiders safety Karl Joseph will be counted upon to defend the run against Houston.
STOP THE RUN >> It’s been the one true Raiders strength on defense. They are fifth in the NFL in rushing defense at 86.7 yards per game and are giving up just 3.6 yards per carry. Take away a 38-carry, 211-yard game by Minnesota in Week 3 and the Raiders are giving up 41.8 yards per game and 1.9 per attempt.
The Raiders’ weaknesses elsewhere on defense are such that if Carlos Hyde (461 yards) gets loose, it would cause problems virtually everywhere else.
Since Vontaze Burfict was lost to suspension, the Raiders have played mostly nickel defense. As yet, no team has been able run them out of it.
DON’T FALL BEHIND >> Given the Raiders’ penchant for balance and taking safe completions, they’re not built to come from behind. They’re front-runners all the way — the Chicago win notwithstanding.
And the Texans specialize in sitting on teams once they have a lead. Houston is 45-8 in games where it leads by double digits at halftime and 18-1 when up by 10 under coach Bill O’brien.