For a franchise whose motto is “Just Win, Baby!” Sunday’s home win over the Houston Texans was just what the doctor ordered.
But for fans who are hoping for more than just a Week 7 win over the Texans? I’ve got a few “yeah, but…” musings for you.
Did the Raiders win by 18? YEAH, BUT…they also got out-gained on the afternoon.
Did the Raiders hold the Texans scoreless on their final three drives of the game? YEAH, BUT…they also allowed the Texans to score on four of their first five drives (with the lone “stop” coming on a missed field goal from 38 yards out).
Were Derek Carr and Josh Jacobs nearly perfect? YEAH, BUT…so were Davis Mills and Dameon Pierce for most of the day as well.
I think you get my point.
If the goal was to beat the Texans, then mission accomplished. But if the ultimate goal is to make the playoffs? The Raiders have some work to do.
Offensive headline: “Mama, there goes that man…AGAIN”
144. 154. 143.
Those are the rushing totals Josh Jacobs has put on the stat sheet the last three weeks, alongside six touchdowns, 13 catches and 82 receiving yards. At this point, everyone knows it is coming — and credit to the Raiders’ offensive line as well because, apparently, there’s nothing anybody can do about it.
I mentioned in this week’s preview that the Texans came into the game with the 30th-best run defense in the league, and, well, that ranking won’t be changing Monday morning. The Josh Jacobs over was a safe bet, no matter what number you found it at.
I do have to say that an honorable mention here has to go to Derek Carr for one play in particular. With the Raiders down 13-10 midway through the third quarter, the offense faced a third-and-four from the Texans’ 21. With pressure in his face, Carr stepped up perfectly into a narrow window to avoid a pair of pass rushers bearing down on him and found Foster Moreau over the middle for a gain of 14. On the very next play, Josh Jacobs plowed into the end zone — but that pocket awareness from Carr was the difference between 17-13 and 13-13.
Defensive headline: “Pathetic”
Again, I know what the final score says, but any Raiders fan that watched this game and wasn’t embarrassed by the performance of their defense might need to get their eyes checked.
Allowing the Texans to march down the field on you on each of their first FIVE drives?! The Texans! We’re talking about Davis Mills here!
I could cite a number of different stats, but more important was how hopeless it felt every time this unit got back out on the field. Dameon Pierce was seemingly untouched for five yards on every carry, and guys were jogging to the first down marker on every route unimpressed.
Thankfully, the offense bailed this unit out and forced Houston to become one-dimensional in the fourth quarter, but Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham needs to figure this thing out ASAP if the Raiders want to get back into the playoff picture.
Player of the Game: Josh Jacobs
Moments after Jacobs strolled into the end zone for the third time, our editor Ryan Ward and I were on the exact same page:
Josh Jacobs might be the best back in the league.
— Jeff Spiegel (@JeffSpiegel) October 23, 2022
Might be BOLD, but then again, maybe not: Josh Jacobs is making a case to be the best back in the NFL right now. #Raiders
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardNFL) October 23, 2022
You saw the numbers I mentioned above, and at this point, they speak for themselves. With Darren Waller out and Hunter Renfrow still working his way back into the offense, Jacobs has been this team’s unquestioned MVP thus far — and today was no different.
Odds and Ends
- Mack Hollins continues to be a guy the Raiders can count on when they need him. Two catches for 44 yards don’t scream “impact”, but hanging onto the touchdown in traffic right before the end of the half was a huge moment.
- Tre’von Moehrig was expected to be a playmaker on defense, but up until this point, he has been a massive disappointment. It feels like the only time you notice him is when he is messing up his leverage or blowing an assignment — and with Duran Harmon’s pick-six to seal this one, I’ll be curious to see if Moehrig’s playing time is in jeopardy.
- The two biggest moments of the game both ended up being penalties. In what seemed like a five-minute stretch, the Texans faced a fourth-and-one that never happened because of a false start (drawn by the threat of Maxx Crosby), and then moments later, Derek Carr was able to draw the Texans offside with a hard count on a fourth-and-one of their own. The first resulted in a punt, the second in a touchdown drive.
- Chandler Jones had another invisible day for the Raiders. As much as Josh McDaniels may want to blame the holdover talent on this roster, his big splash was bringing in Jones — who has been a non-factor all season. If the defense is going to turn it around, Maxx Crosby needs his running mate to start playing to the level he’s getting paid at.