Not even Tom Brady has been able to fix the Las Vegas Raiders’ struggling defense. Fans and analysts hoped that the arrival of the seven-time Super Bowl champion would lift the team out of the rut it’s been stuck in for several seasons. But early signs from the preseason are far from promising-especially on the defensive side of the ball.
The scoreboard might not scream disaster: a 23-23 tie with the Seattle Seahawks and a narrow 22-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. On the surface, it looks like the Raiders were competitive. But a deeper look reveals a troubling pattern, particularly when the opposing offense takes the field.
Christian Wilkins’ controversial departure has added pressure on Maxx Crosby, but the real issue appears to be systemic. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has struggled to find answers, and nothing seems to be working to contain the passing game. Head coach Pete Carroll has acknowledged the problem and assured fans that the team is actively seeking solutions.
Pete Carroll’s assessment
In a press conference following the loss to the 49ers, Carroll began by highlighting the team’s run defense-their supposed strength. “We played the running game with much more impact than we did in the joint practice. The adjustments the coaching staff made worked out well… against a really formidable running team,” he said.
However, the glaring issue remains the lack of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. “They’re really battling,” Carroll admitted, while praising defensive line coach Robbie Leonard. “Robbie did a really nice job making sure we got a lot of film on everybody,” he added.
Despite the setbacks, Carroll commended his players’ effort: “It’s a good group. They’re active, they’re athletic. They move well. They play hard. So now we just need to see how we’re zeroing in. The competition goes on.” Still, the road ahead looks anything but easy.
Raiders’ defensive woes
The Raiders’ pass defense has been alarmingly ineffective this preseason. Across two games, they’ve failed to record a single sack and have only managed one quarterback hit-against San Francisco’s third-string offensive line. That’s a far cry from expectations for a unit led by Crosby.
Some analysts point fingers at Patrick Graham for the lack of consistency. The DC has experimented with multiple combinations, but none have delivered results where it counts. With a matchup against the Arizona Cardinals looming and the regular season just two weeks away, time is running out for Carroll, Graham, and the Raiders to turn things around.
Read the full article here
