Oakland Raiders turn in humiliating performance

September 9, 2:50 AMOakland Raiders ExaminerPatrick Patterson

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DeAngelo Hall had a horrid game

The Raider Nation was thoroughly embarrassed by the play of the Oakland Raiders in their season opening game against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night. The final score of 41-14 doesn't even tell the full tale, as the Raiders defense was completely outclassed by the Broncos all game long. The Broncos' opening drive ended with a touchdown, and things never got better for the Raiders, as the Broncos moved the ball at will up and down the field.

Much of the preseason buzz was around the improvements in the Raiders' secondary with the marquee acquisitions of cornerback DeAngelo Hall and safety Michael Huff. In fact, the Raiders were supposed to be a team that no one could throw on. Jay Cutler did just that. He threw against the Raiders vaunted secondary, and repeatedly rookie wide receiver Eddie Royal came down with the passes. Time and again that pair thoroughly abused Raider cornerback DeAngelo Hall. Hall received no help from the defensive line as Cutler had plenty of time to throw the ball every time he dropped back to pass.

The Raiders offense fared only slightly better than its defense. The Raiders were able to run the ball, but were not able to mount a passing attack until the game was already decided. JaMarcus Russell could not seem to get in sync with his wide receivers, twice over throwing a wide open Ronald Curry on deep passes. (One of them clanked off the hands of the usually reliable Curry, and the other was just beyond his fingertips.) Zach Miller, Russell's favorite target, was a non factor as he spent the night blanketed by Champ Bailey in a show of utter disrespect for the Raiders' receiving corps.

The good:

There are very few silver linings to a black cloud that is a 41-14 loss to a hated rival to open the season, but here they are:

• The Raiders showed some trickery as Darren McFadden took a direct snap from center and handed the ball off to Justin Fargas for a nine yard gain.
• The Raiders had a potent rushing attack even before the game got out of hand.
• Justin Fargas showed that even with a major deficit, he still had the never say die running style he is known for.
• The Raiders scored touchdowns on two trips inside the red zone. Both Ashley Lelie and Curry caught touchdown passes on fourth and goal plays.
• The blocking on Johnnie Lee Higgins' first kick off return almost allowed him to bring it in for a touchdown.

The Bad:

• The Oakland Raiders defense. Other than Nnamdi Asomugha and flashes by Jay Richardson, this unit looked awful.
• The Raiders got no pass rush. The defensive line couldn't get any penetration against the Broncos' offensive line, despite the two tackles having a combined year experience between them. Even two time Pro-Bowler Derrick Burgess was completely invisible.
• DeAngelo Hall got abused by a rookie wide receiver. Hall looked like a rookie corner trying to cover a Pro Bowl receiver. The problem is that Hall is the Pro Bowler and Royal the rookie.
• Rob Ryan's defensive scheme. The question is whether he even had one. The Raiders didn't blitz or cover. They did stop the run.
• JaMarcus Russell fumbled in an attempt to hit McFadden on a screen pass to end the Raiders' first red zone attempt.
• The offensive tackles could not keep the pressure off of Russell who was sacked twice and ran for his life frequently.
• Kirk Morrison, who is usually a sure thing in coverage got beat for a long reception.
• Hall had a melt down and got two flags for unsportsmanlike conduct in one drive.

The Ugly:

• The final score of 41-14
• Left tackle Kwame Harris, reserve lineman Paul McQuistan, defensive end Derrick Burgess, and running back Darren McFadden all sustained injuries. With the loss of two offensive linemen, the Raiders' depth situation is beyond percarious.
• The officiating crew was horrible. That is no excuse for this loss, but there is no reason for them not to call two blatant pass interference calls at key moments that would have favored the Raiders, and to short the spot by a yard on a third down run by Fargas.

The preseason optimism has now begun to fade, as the Raiders gear up to face the Kansas City Chiefs next week in Arrowhead. After a loss like this one, it is imperative that the Raiders turn it around or they will be falling into a deep Black Hole at 0-2 with both losses within the division.