The numbers aren’t pretty but still, they point to just where the team is struggling the most as it attempts to assess its needs heading towards the 2019 draft.
Statistics are a funny thing. They can often be manipulated to tell a story but, overall, when it comes to the NFL, they’re useful and telling to determine how and why teams are either doing well or doing poorly. After last night’s display by the Raiders, we focus on a key few stats thanks to our friends at Pro Football Focus. Let’s take a look inside the numbers:
The Good
Ok, a day after an outright terrible display of professional football, there are some positives. Let’s start with one of the most consistent offensive linemen on the planet – Rodney Hudson. According to PFF, Hudson did not allow a single pressure in 34 pass block opportunities against San Francisco. What’s even more impressive? Hudson has not allowed a QB pressure in seven of eight games this season. His PFF overall grade of 80.5 is second amongst centers in the league and his 89.1 pass blocking grade is first overall. On an offensive line that’s struggled due to inexperience and injury, Hudson continues to just do his thing.
The Bad
There’s no way to sugarcoat it – the Raiders defense stinks. Photo: Raiders.com
We really like Raiders rookie Brandon Parker. He’s a great young man and we believe, eventually, a good NFL tackle. Yet, he’s struggling mightily this season against the backdrop of a dysfunctional season. He had a horrific game against the 49ers last night. Playing 41 snaps (before being benched) total, he allowed one sack and five total pressures in 24 pass-blocking opportunities, according to PFF. Parker’s 44.8 grade from PFF ranks 74th of 76th qualifying tackles in the league. Ouch.
The Ugly
For those who did show up and actually try during the game, results were just bad. Oakland’s defense had two quarterback hits and one hurry in 23 dropback opportunities for the 49ers. The Raiders have just seven sacks all season and have only pressured opposing quarterbacks 59 times – both good for worst in the NFL. But it’s much worse than that. Tennessee, which is second-worst in the league in QB pressures, has 102 pressures for the season. PFF says the average for NFL’s teams is 132. Double ouch.
According to PFF, Whitehead has surrendered 23 catches for 405 yards and seven touchdowns and QB’s hold a perfect passer rating when he’s targeted at 158.3.
Another just ugly night was had by veteran linebacker Tahir Whitehead. Whitehead was targeted four times in coverage against the 49ers and he didn’t just fail, he was epic in his inability to cover San Francisco receivers. The four times he was targeted in coverage, Whitehead surrendered four receptions for 101 yards and one touchdown. According to PFF, Whitehead has surrendered 23 catches for 405 yards and seven touchdowns and QB’s hold a perfect passer rating when he’s targeted at 158.3.