The Oakland Raiders never want to give Raider Nation the day off. The Raiders got stuck in a battle with the 0-10 Cincinnati Bengals but came out with the victory in a 17-10 slugfest with the worst team in the league.
The Raider offense was able to move the football with ease but had two critical turnovers that led to the Bengals’ two scores. The offensive line had one of its worst games of the season, allowing a team that came into the game with 11 sacks to finish with three sacks on the stat sheet.
Carr was under pressure for most of the day and was able to maneuver to help keep the offense moving the football.
The Raiders’ defense continued its improvement with a dominant performance against an abysmal Bengals offense. They held the opponent to meager 4.2 yards per play and kept back up quarterback under constant pressure accumulating five sacks on the day. If the Raiders defense continues to improve, it will for sure help the playoff run deep into the season.
Who stood out this week in the win against the Bengals? Let’s look at the winners and losers from the Week 11 victory, moving the Raiders to 6-4.
Winner: DE Maxx Crosby
The Raiders trading Khalil Mack caused the Raiders pass rush to fall apart to in 2018 with them earning only 13 sacks all season. 2019 has been a complete turnaround for the defense with the teams pass rush going to another level the past four weeks with the Raiders having 12 sacks in that span. The pass rush has been led by an unlikely hero by the name of Maxx Crosby.
Crosby generated 10 pressures the week before, according to NFL.com next-gen stats, and this week was no different. Crosby finished the day with four sacks and displayed why he continues to progress into the Raiders’ best pass rusher on the defense. Crosby’s relentless motor shines all over his film, and his improvement every week is an excellent sign for Paul Guenther.
The Raiders were expecting Clelin Ferrell to be the replacement for Mack, but it might end up being the salt portion of the salt and pepper combo of Crosby and Ferrell. Crosby still has tons of work to improve on his technique, which means the sky is the limit for the production Crosby could produce in the future.
Winner: QB Derek Carr
Derek Carr’s best season since 2016 continues with another consistent performance that displays his efficiency. While he did throw an interception, Carr was the difference between a win and a loss. He created great plays on third down and in the red zone.
Carr finished the game with a YPA of 10.5 on the day throwing for 292 yards on 28 attempts. He threw 4 incomplete passes all day and was comfortable under constant pressure from the Bengals underrated defensive line.
The best play of the day was Carr finally using his athleticism to make defenders miss making a massive play for a touchdown on third and 2 that helped the Raiders take a 14-7 lead right before halftime.
Carr’s steady play is the real reason the Raiders are 6-4 and overachieving on the season. When your starting quarterback is playing at a high level and making plays for the offense, the potential for a playoff run increases with every snap. Jon Gruden has been looking for his Rich Gannon to run this offense, and he might have found him in Carr.
Winner: CB Trayvon Mullen
When the Raiders traded Gareon Conley, there was a wonder throughout the nation of who his replacement would be. The front office and the coaching staff believed Trayvon Mullen should be the one to take over the starting spot. Mullen has not disappointed having his best game of the season and consistently displaying why he was a second-round pick for the Raiders.
Mullen finished the game with 5 tackles displaying his ability to work the cover 2 zone and come up and make tackles to slow down offenses.
He almost had a pick-six breaking on the football on a quick out route, and Raiders fans have seen this before with him almost housing pass attempts during his tenure at the starting the corner position. The second-round pick finally broke through with his first interception of the season sealing the game for the Raiders.
Guenther has to be thrilled with the progression of his young cornerback as he continues to grow with every game. Mullen has the skill set to excel in this defensive scheme with great instincts and tackling ability. The Raiders defense vitally needs help in the secondary, Mullen might actually be the answer for this long-time issue.
Loser: RG Gabe Jackson
Gabe Jackson missed most of training camp and the beginning of the regular season with an injury to his MCL. Jackson returned four weeks ago and struggled to perform since his return. Week 11 was no different with Jackson once again struggling in both the run and pass game and looks like a liability on the offensive line.
Jackson gave two more sacks this week from interior pressure. His first sack allowed saw him get embarrassed by Geno Atkins, leading to a quick pressure that the quarterback couldn’t avoid. Atkins had a day against Jackson continually being in the backfield against the run and the pass. Jackson missed Atkins again, allowing him to help out on another sack on Carr with the Bengals finishing with three on the day.
Jackson’s struggles are a severe concern for this offensive line. Jackson was supposed to come back and be the glue that finally put this dominant offensive line together after his return from injury. The real truth is it has been the exact opposite for Jackson, allowing pressure at a higher rate than his offensive line teammates. The Raiders need Jackson to come back to life and return to his pro-bowl form.
Loser: LT Kolton Miller
Speaking of the offensive line, another member of the group had a rough outing against the Bengals defensive line. Kolton Miller has taken the next step in his performance compared to his rookie year. Week 11 was a different situation with Miller struggling and allowing plenty of pressure on the quarterback.
Miller doesn’t like Sam Hubbard and has a good reason. Hubbard abused Miller last year in the Raiders matchup, and 2019 didn’t offer any change to the situation. While Hubbard didn’t get a sack, he was bullying Miller all game beating him off the ball with Carr having to avoid pressure and make plays. Miller also got beat by Carl Lawson for a sack and didn’t offer too much to the running game either.
Miller can learn from this performance and continue to improve into the left tackle the Raiders expected when they drafted him in the first round of the 2018 season. Miller is not fully polished at all as a pass protector, but his growth gives Raiders fans hope for the future. Miller has to put this game away and come back next week against the New York Jets, who don’t have much to scare you in terms of a pass rush.
