Raiders

Def/Spec Team

The dagger was a 98-yard score from Drew Brees to Brandin Cooks that resulted in Smith being benched by coach Jack Del Rio. “It was getting bad out there. I was costing our team points and Coach (Del Rio) did what he had to do,” Smith said on Tuesday. The Oakland defense was solidified over the offseason with numerous high-profile signings like Smith, but the group was hammered in Week 1 by the Saints. The Raiders D/ST will be a low-end top-12 fantasy options at home against Atlanta in Week 2.

The 45.6 percent mark is 29th among NFL teams and has contributed to the defensive struggles of the Raiders in 2015. DC Ken Norton spoke about the issue this week, saying, “First and second down play hasn’t been bad. Defending deep balls has been okay, but there are areas were need to improve on to be a really good defense, and it starts with getting off the field.” While the offense in Oakland finally has some promise, the defense still has work to do. With the Denver Broncos visiting Oakland in Week 5, the Raiders D/ST won’t be a viable fantasy option.

Detroit has coughed up the ball 21 times in nine games and is the owner of the NFL’s worst running game, averaging just 66.9 yards on the ground each week. The Oakland secondary has struggled this season, but this group will be worth a look in fantasy leagues this week as a potential streaming target in hopes that they can capitalize on Detroit’s turnover-prone ways.

This nugget comes courtesy of CNS Bay Area, and sheds light on the importance of turnovers for the Oakland defense this week when they host the Chiefs. “He’s a good quarterback. He’ll beat you with his feet. He’ll beat you with his arm. He’s poised. He hasn’t turned the ball over. That typically leads to good football,” said Oakland coach Jack Del Rio. Oakland has forced just two turnovers over the last three weeks and will need turn things around on Sunday. The Raiders D/ST is not an advisable Week 13 fantasy option.

The brutal defensive performances have continued a season-long trend for Oakland and leave the Raiders D/ST miles from the fantasy radar. Week 12 will see Oakland travel to Tennessee, where the Raiders D/ST will not be a recommended fantasy option.

Oakland is also allowing a mere 3.6 yards per carry to opposing rushers and held Denver to 2.4 yards per tote on 18 carries in Week 5. Despite the success against the run, the pass defense of the Raiders still leaves a lot to be desired and the Oakland D/ST won’t be a viable fantasy option in Week 7 as they travel to San Diego.

The Raiders sacked Denver QB Brock Osweiler five times in Week 14, with LB Khalil Mack responsible for each sack in a phenomenal performance. The Oakland defense has been improving in recent weeks and hosts Green Bay in Week 15, who has allowed 31 sacks in 2015. The Raiders D/ST will be a middling fantasy option against Aaron Rodgers and company.

Edwards was injured in Week 15 against Green Bay and has been placed on injured reserve. “He had a significant injury, and we need to make sure we do what’s best for him first,” head coach Jack Del Rio said. The Oakland defense has had success rushing the passer in recent weeks, stacking up 19 sacks in their five outings, and will look to keep their defensive front rolling without Edwards this week when they host San Diego. The Raiders D/ST will be a mid-tier fantasy option in Week 16.

The Kansas City turnover total is the lowest mark among all 32 NFL teams, and interestingly five of those giveaways came in Week 2 against Denver. The Oakland defense has forced multiple turnovers in four of the last five weeks, but will have a hard time prying the ball from Alex Smith on Sunday. The Raiders D/ST is a middling Week 17 fantasy option on the road at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Jets are the NFL’s third-best rushing team, piling up 136.5 yards on the ground each week, and the Raiders are aware of Ivory’s toughness. “We all have to get to the ball and swarm tackle him, because he has an ability to break tackles. He gives all the effort he can,” said Oakland LB Curtis Lofton. The Raiders D/ST has been surprisingly stout against the run this season but will be just outside the top-12 fantasy D/ST options this week.