OAKLAND – Three things you need to know after the Raiders’ 21-14 victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday at Oakland Coliseum:
1. Pagano helps pass rush: Edge rusher Bruce Irvin didn’t believe a change in defensive play callers had an impact on one of his unit’s best showings.
“I wouldn’t say so,” Irvin said. “We just let it rip.”
The Raiders, however, did some different things up front under new play caller John Pagano. He took over after defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. was fired Tuesday. Pagano had a few days to change things, but he dialed up some pressure against young quarterback Paxton Lynch.
He moved Khalil Mack around, having him rush inside more than he has all year, and occasionally played next to Bruce Irvin. Pass rushers came from all angles, generally with several near the line of scrimmage but a select few dropping back into coverage.
The results were positive. The Raiders had five sacks. They ended a 10-plus game interception drought. They held Denver to just 66 yards in the first three quarters, before backup quarterback Trevor Siemian mounted a ill-fated comeback.
“I thought there was certainty, decisiveness,” head coach Jack Del Rio said. “Play fast. They played very fast. …For three quarters, it was pretty good.”
NFL
It's uncertain whether there was marked improvement or the uptick was Paxton Lynch-related. The young quarterback was awful, and clearly flustered by the Raiders defense. Siemian was far better, functional anyway, against that group. How they fare in future weeks will go a long way in determining how much of an impact Pagano can have on a unit lacking depth and talent at key spots.
2. Reserve receivers find a way: Michael Crabtree got ejected in the first quarter for his part in a brawl. Amari Cooper got concussed in the second after taking a shot to the head and neck.
That left the Raiders razor thin at receiver, with Cordarrelle Patterson and Johnny Holton outside of slot man Seth Roberts. That group doesn’t play or produce much in the passing game, but they came through with big plays in a had-to-have-it game.
Holton’s 47-yard catch set up the game-deciding touchdown catch by Jalen Richard. Patterson iced victory with a 54-yard catch and run in the fourth quarter. Roberts was reliable after a terrible showing last week against New England.
The trio combined on seven catches for 151 yards and zero drops.
“We just stepped up and did what we are supposed to do,” Patterson said. “We know what we can do that’s why when people go down its next man up.”
3. Wide open AFC West: The Kansas City Chiefs controlled the AFC West at one time. That was before the wheels came off. They have lost five of their last six.
The Raiders are just a game off the division lead. The Chargers are in the same spot. The Silver and Black play both teams in the closing weeks, and control their playoff destiny. If they can go on a run – that still seems improbable – they can win the division outright.
That seems wacky considering how much drama surrounds a season gone awry, but the Raiders are right in the thick of that and the wild-card race.
“Situationally, this was a must win,” Carr said. “After the game, we find out other things. What happens around the league, and you know where you sit. It doesn’t mean anything if you don’t take care of business. It’s an exciting things because we’re right there. We know where we stand, but at the same time we have to go take care of business.”