1. The Good: The Las Vegas Raiders' defense
Can we take a moment to appreciate how much the Las Vegas Raiders' defense stepped up to the plate during their game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday? Not only did the Raiders hold the Colts to 17 points the entire game, but the struggling defense also shut the opposing offense out in the opening quarter. This marks one of the few times that the Raiders' defense has been able to do this and
The effort was led by Devine Deablow, who recorded nine tackles, followed by Roderic Teamer, who notched seven of his own. Lastly, the defense held the Colts to a total of 262 yards, one rushing touchdown, and one through the air. Again, this was one of their best defensive performances all season and they deserve all the credit in the world.
Can they do it again against the Los Angeles Chargers, though?
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2. The Bad: Derek Carr settling for field goals
The Las Vegas Raiders racked up three field goals throughout Sunday’s game, and while it helped them secure the victory, it wasn’t a great look for Derek Carr. Raider Nation will be quick to defend him, especially after the team came away with the victory, but we're going to take an honest look at Carr’s performance.
Looking at Carr, he went 24 of 31 for 255 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions during the game. He also had to rely on his kicker, Daniel Carlson, three times to put nine points on the board. That means Carr failed to convert the ball on third down three different times. Imagine how lost they would be in the playoffs with these kinds of numbers.
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3. The Ugly: Nate Hobbs controversy surrounding Las Vegas Raiders
While Nate Hobbs wasn’t the deciding factor during the Las Vegas Raiders victory against the Indianapolis Colts, he did record three tackles before all was said and done. Despite this effort, Hobbs was arrested for DUI hours after the game and is unlikely to show up against the Los Angeles Chargers. This controversy is not something the Raiders need while trying to make the playoffs.
Now the team has to deal with the Hobbs debacle and find a way to compensate for his absence on defense. Keep in mind this is with a team known for their defensive struggles, and you can see where this would all be very concerning.
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