Break-downs

Game-breaker: The Raiders were outplayed against a common opponent who really was not considered to be a tough get. However, since the Raiders are so torn as a franchise right now, the biggest spark came from the other tight end, Michael Mayer. He, along with Ashton Jeanty, were critical to keeping this game credible. Tale-teller: Geno Smith left the game with an injury in the second half and didn't return. Didn't matter much because the game was out-of-hand. Even with Smith,

Game-breaker: The Raiders played a much better game this time around. It was really reminiscent of a much stronger and capable team. I would say Ashton Jeanty was really the stabilizer that ignited the Raiders offense. Again, this was against the best defense in the NFL. Tale-teller: The fact that the Raiders had the lead at one point and stayed competitive resembled a much better football team than the record would show. They almost came out with a win as they can now focus

Game-breaker: This game was an atrocity as the Raiders failed to even score. The PHI Eagles were more effective and explosive on most plays because the Raiders couldn't stop them, running or passing. Tale-teller: QB Kenny Pickett of the Raiders had a troublesome time generating any offense that resembled an authentic and sound team. It was simply too hard to forge anything meaningful against PHI defense. Trend-setter: The PHI defense and QB Jalen Hurts were pillaging the Raid

Game-breaker: The DEN Broncos had their way on both sides of the ball as they were led by second-year quarterback Bo Nix who really orchestrated well and brought the ball efficiently down the field. They had multiple more than 8-minute drives which really sucked the wind out of the sails for the Raiders. The Broncos knew they could do whatever they wanted without major resistance. Tale-teller: This was a slow-fought game that really made it hard to run against them and slow t

Game-breaker: This game got off to a slow start as Herbert and the Chargers got up 7-0 and the Raiders subsequently injured Herbert and broke his hand. He left the game and were able to tie the game in the first half. However, Herbert responded in the second half and they got off to a big lead. The Raiders couldn't muster many positive plays and were consistently applied pressure. Geno Smith couldn't get the ball out in time and fell to the same concepts that has plagued him

Game-breaker: In a disheartening season, sometimes one has to look extra hard to find any real positives, even in a single game as this. The Raiders gave up 10 sacks and couldn't hold up their front to salvage anything. The biggest example of true grit would have to be Ashton Jeanty. He had over 100 yards from scrimmage and he's going to be a guy to monitor into the future. He's a talented disruptor once he gets past the line of scrimmage, which isn't always.

Game-breaker: QB Geno Smith had the difficult job of trying to keep the Raiders afloat in a contest that was getting a way from them early. The Raiders literally had nobody to really count on in the running or passing attack because they just couldn't get very far. Smith was selected here because he limited himself to one INT and didn't do anything relatively harmful, just couldn't bring consistent playmaking at his position. In a way, I am sending a different angle because t

Game-breaker: In this instance for the Raiders, the biggest contributor for this game was the defensive line, and his leadership alone brings me to the conclusion that Maxx Crosby helped the Raiders control the line of scrimmage. Some players like Laulu, Snowden, and Butler along the interior, really showed an evolving strength of the Raiders season. They are not getting pushed around as much and this showing against a solid Broncos front really exhibits sound technique and p

The main culprit for the Raiders success this week even in a loss was seeing an offense more productive in multiple phases, especially seeing Brock Bowers back. It was great to see the defense play well and prevent an advance from the other team's rushing attack. Let's see if the Raiders can pull as much from this as they can to get after the Broncos in a Thursday night matchup this week.

Before I begin to shred or put a damper on the performance of the team, I need to discern what can be assumed from a debacle of a game against the Chiefs. There is no doubt there are some intriguing pieces on offense, primarily the addition of Ashton Jeanty, who is chronicled on here every week as one of the new faces on a growing team. I think Pete Carroll needs some time to calibrate with the psyche of the team and become that much more familiar with who he is working with.

Week 6

Game-breaker: This has to be QB Geno Smith because he did everything to keep the Raiders out of the ballgame so this is a negative for a team that was without any big-time playmaking. He is taking the brunt of the criticism and given that he is a veteran, that would afford many fans hope that he can right the ship. In a winnable game coming up against TEN, this is a monumental opportunity for him to prove himself and gain some momentum for the rest of the season.

Game-breaker

Game-breaker The game-breaker this week for the Raiders was Tre Tucker. He is becoming a favorite target so far for Geno Smith this early...