Raiders’ defensive shortcomings not just a passing trend
Oakland allowed Vikings running back Adrian Peterson 203 rushing yards in a 30-14 loss on Sunday.
In the first 843 games of the franchise’s history, the Raiders allowed six 200-yard rushers and 200-yard receivers.
The only other player in the NFL to crack that number this season was Bengals receiver A.J. Green (with 227 against the Ravens).
The Steelers with their receiving corps and their quarterback situation, they’re going to throw it quite a bit.
The Raiders’ run defense had actually been pretty good before Pittsburgh’s DeAngelo Williams had 170 yards two weeks ago and then Peterson topped that.
The pass defense has been bad all season, as the Raiders are second to last in the NFL with an average of 293.2 yards against.
Defensive end Khalil Mack looks like he is getting over hamstring and groin injuries, and he had one of the Raiders’ four sacks Sunday.
Center Rodney Hudson tested his sprained right ankle on Saturday in hopes of playing against the Vikings, and Del Rio is hopeful he is back this week. …
Derek Carr, with 21, is the sixth quarterback in NFL history to throw 20-plus touchdown passes in each of his first two seasons.