The Raiders will once again try to rebound after a loss when they travel to Indianapolis to battle the Colts on Sunday. Unlike last week, however, expectations are low.
Reality hit the Raiders hard in Minnesota when the team was soundly beaten by the Vikings. In the previous game, the defense held the high-powered Chiefs offense scoreless for three quarters. The Raiders were blown out in that game, too, but optimism still reigned supreme.
Here are the Raiders to watch when the team attempts to change its outlook once again and inject some life into this stretch of road games, which doesn’t see them return to Oakland until Nov. 3.
QB Derek Carr
Quarterback Derek Carr had a solid stat line last week, throwing for 242 yards and two touchdowns. But he also had an interception. It was at a crucial moment of the game, and it was an avoidable mistake, as well.
Carr didn’t face much pressure on that interception, but he rushed his throw. He’s still developing trust in his offensive line after being sacked more than 50 times last season. He’s displayed impressive ability in his career before, most notably in 2016 when he guided the Raiders to a winning record and he was sacked just 16 times.
More recently, when he wasn’t sacked Week 1 against the Broncos, he led the team to a win. Those games are few and far between, however. Watch to see if Carr can make good decisions while surveying the field. Carr has his own bit of trust-building to do — the rest of the offense must trust that he can hang in the pocket and make plays.
RB Josh Jacobs
The Raiders selected running back Josh Jacobs in the first round of this year’s draft to be an impact player. Thus far, he’s made his mark when given the opportunity. He’s had some minor injury issues, but he’s been available most of the time and performed well enough to be eighth in the NFL in rushing yards.
But he’s been vastly underutilized in the passing game. He has just one reception on an inexplicably low three targets. Jacobs’ one catch was good for 28-yards, and it came in a big moment Week 1 against the Broncos when Oakland was in desperate need of a first down.
Coach Jon Gruden said he wants more from Jacobs in the passing game. Watch to see if the rookie’s number is called more often in throwing situations. If that part of his skill set is featured as much as his run game, the offense will be immensely easier for Carr to negotiate.
WR Tyrell Williams
The Raiders figured ex-NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown and his elite talent would be on the field to aid the offense this season. Brown asked to be released from the Raiders, however, and the WR corps was left scrambling to make up for his presence.
Unfortunately, there is no covering for the absence of Brown. But the Raiders must do all the can. Tight end Darren Waller is picking up much of the slack. He’s third in the NFL in receptions, with 26 catches thus far.
After gaining more than 100 yards in Week 1, Tyrell Willams, along with most of the offense, has struggled. But it’s up to him to help Waller carry the load. Watch to see if Williams can get open deep against a Colts secondary that will be without starting safety, Malik Hooker. That would loosen the Colts’ coverage a bit, and do wonders for Carr and the rest of that unit.
DT Johnathan Hankins
The Raiders must stop the Colts’ impressive rushing attack on Sunday, and the largest defensive tackle on the roster, Johnathan Hankins, will be a vital piece to that puzzle.
He had a fantastic game last week, with an impressive eight tackles from his inside position. The Vikings still had a good game on the ground, but he can’t get discouraged. Just one or two disruptive plays can convince an offense to give the run game a rest.
Plus, if he can demand a double team, his fellow lineman will have their opportunity to disrupt. Hankins has been Oakland’s most stout defender up front this young season. Watch Sunday to see if he can keep it up and make an impact.
DE Clelin Ferrell
Defensive end Clelin Ferrell, the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s draft, could be primed for a breakout game.
He had the best showing of his young career in Minnesota, finally playing up to the level of his fellow first-round draft picks. As a young and talented defender, he should only improve.
At the very least, he must play just as well in Week 4. The Raiders drafted him to be rock-solid on the edge, and that’s what he must be, especially with the Raiders in such dire need of a win.
Each of these players must step their game up. But along with the rest of the team, they have to play mistake-free football on Sunday. The margin of error for this young squad appears to be thin, especially on the road. If they can cut the miscues, every good play will count exponentially more, and the Raiders could win this game. If that happens, their reality will shift once again and become much brighter.
