Despite a strong start in training camp, the Raiders’ defense has shown vulnerabilities in preseason games, especially against the run. Coach Antonio Pierce remains focused on building a resilient unit.
Bollywood Fever: The Las Vegas Raiders entered the 2024 preseason with high expectations, particularly for a defense that ranked in the top 10 in scoring last season.
With the addition of star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, the Raiders were expected to dominate. Early in training camp, their defense looked formidable, consistently overpowering the team’s offense.
However, the Raiders’ performance in two preseason games has raised concerns. After a solid camp, their defense faltered, most notably in a 27-12 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, where issues in both the run defense and secondary were evident.
The Cowboys, using their reserves, effectively passed against a Raiders defense that still had six starters on the field.
The absence of the starting defensive line, including Wilkins and edge rusher Maxx Crosby, allowed Cowboys backup quarterback Trey Lance to shine, completing 15 of 23 passes for 151 yards and scoring both a passing and rushing touchdown.
While preseason games can be deceiving, the Raiders’ struggles have prompted some introspection.
Head coach Antonio Pierce specifically highlighted the run defense as an area needing improvement.
The Raiders have allowed 279 rushing yards over the first two preseason games, a statistic that Pierce attributes to difficulties in shedding blocks and containing running lanes.
Cornerback Jack Jones, who played a significant role in last season’s success after joining the team midseason, echoed Pierce’s sentiments but remained optimistic.
Jones, who was burned on a touchdown play against Dallas, acknowledged his mistake but emphasized the importance of learning and growing from such experiences.
“It’s football. It happened,” Jones said. “I made the corrections. I had bad eyes. I was looking in the backfield. I never saw the receiver.”
Jones, along with returning cornerback Nate Hobbs and safeties Tre’von Moehrig and Marcus Epps, forms a secondary that helped the Raiders finish 11th in pass defense last season.
The team is also integrating cornerback Jakorian Bennett, a promising second-year player out of Maryland.
But the true strength of the Raiders’ defense lies in its front line. Wilkins, known for his run-stopping ability, has also developed into a pass-rushing threat.
Pairing him with Crosby, who has 27 sacks over the past two seasons, could make the Raiders’ front one of the most feared in the NFL.
However, the depth behind the starters remains a concern, as demonstrated by the team’s struggles when backups have taken the field.
Pierce stressed the need for the team to get back to fundamentals. “We need to get back to being heavy-handed, getting off blocks, second-level defenders,” he said. “Then we just need to condense the space.
There were too many open lanes where those running backs were coming down full speed down in the second level and even up to our safeties and obviously created big plays.”
As the Raiders prepare for their final preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers, the focus remains on building a more consistent and resilient defense.
With the regular season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers on September 8, the team has little time to correct its course.
Minshew Talks About Starting
In other Raiders news, quarterback Gardner Minshew, known for his energy off the bench, was recently named the starting quarterback over Aidan O’Connell.
Speaking to reporters for the first time since the decision, Minshew emphasized the importance of leadership and preparation.
“I think any time you step in there as a quarterback, whatever the situation, it’s your team at that point and you have to treat it like that,” Minshew said. “I think we have a lot of stuff we can work on — really get dialed in now, get the reps, get some good conversations with these guys and just figuring out our identity and what we’re going to look like.”
O’Connell, who performed well as a midseason starter last year, vowed to stay ready and support Minshew, expressing confidence in his ability to step up if needed.
As the Raiders continue their preparations, the upcoming weeks will be crucial in determining how the team addresses its defensive vulnerabilities and solidifies its identity for the season ahead.
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