OAKLAND, Calif. -- Random thoughts after the Oakland Raiders' 24-13 home loss to Arizona that dropped the Raiders to 0-6:
The Raiders’ biggest problem (and there’s many) is their third-down defense. It has been dreadful. The Raiders entered their loss to Arizona allowing a league-high 51.4 percent conversion rate on third down. Arizona converted on third down 9 of 15 times, including twice on third-and-8 on a game-sealing drive in the fourth quarter. The Raiders are at a loss over the issues.“Killing us. It's killing us,” Oakland safety Charles Woodson said. “We're for the most part able to play good football on the early downs but for whatever reason, man, third downs, I don't know if there's a lack of focus or what it is on third downs but it is definitely our Achilles heel right now.”
Oakland interim coach Tony Sparano said getting better in the area will, once again, be a primary focus of practice this week as the Raiders prepare to play at Cleveland next Sunday. The issue has an affect on the entire team. The Raiders held the ball for just 23:03 on Sunday. They entered the game with a league-low time of possession average of 25:04.
Sparano said backup quarterback Matt Schaub will remain the holder. He took over for punter Marquette King against Arizona. Kicker Sebastian Janikowski missed a 53-yard field goal last week. Sunday, with Schaub, Janikowski had field goals of 29 and 53 yards.
The Raiders’ run game floundered again Sunday after having its first success of the season against San Diego last week. The Raiders had 56 yards on the ground in 19 carries in the loss to Arizona. After gaining 80 yards against the Chargers -- his best game in over a calendar year -- Oakland starter Darren McFadden had 48 yards on 14 carries on Sunday. Maurice Jones-Drew, the Week 1 starter, has been unable to do much. He had 6 yards on three carries.
Tight end Mychal Rivera again was not a focal point in the offense. He had one catch on his only target. He had 38 catches as a rookie last season. He has 13 catches in six games.
Kenbrell Thompkins, in his second game since being claimed off waivers from New England, played 31 snaps for Oakland. He was targeted once but didn’t have a catch.
The Raiders used the Wildcat once and McFadden gained 12 yards. They have used it for four plays this season. The Dolphins used the Wildcat as a focal point when Sparano was their head coach.
The Raiders had three three-and-out series Sunday and have 23 such drives in six games.
Recent defensive additions, linebackers Ray-Ray Armstrong and Jamar Chaney, both played some on defense Sunday. Armstrong was primarily a special-teamer before being cut by St. Louis.
Chimdi Chekwa seemed to fall behind Neiko Thorpe on the cornerback rotation. When D.J. Hayden is activated (perhaps this week), Chekwa could be in danger of being inactivated.
Benson Mayowa, claimed off waivers from Seattle in September, played some at defensive end Sunday and was active. I’d expect to see more of him moving forward.
Free-agent addition LaMarr Woodley continued to be a non-factor. The defensive end was credited with one tackle.
Receiver Brice Butler had a big catch for the second straight game -- a 55-yard reception that set up Oakland’s only touchdown. Butler had a 47-yard touchdown catch last week. Butler will likely continue to get more opportunities.