Raiders' Defense Plans to Put Forth Better Effort

The Las Vegas Raiders' defense has played well all season. Last week was not their best showing, but they look to return to form on Monday night.

The Las Vegas Raiders' defense has been a pleasant surprise throughout this season. The Raiders have allowed the fifth least passing yards and ninth least rushing yards per game, respectively, in the National Football League. They are also near the top half in the league in total sacks.

By all accounts, the Raiders' defense has made substantial progress since last season. However, last week against the Chicago Bears was not its best performance.

“I think in terms of just last week, again, it starts with me first and foremost," Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham said. "I don't think I did a good job putting them in the right spots and it just was a bad result for last week.

"I know this, we're working hard right now upstairs, in the classroom with the coaches. We're going to work hard when the players get back tomorrow in terms of trying to rectify the situation. And that's the main focus right now.

"Again, you can't spend too much time on the week before, you've got to learn from it and then you've got to move on, and we've got another opportunity and thankfully it's Monday night against the Detroit Lions and we get a chance against a really good team. It’s going to be a big challenge.” 

Maxx Crosby's consistent effort must be matched by the rest of the Las Vegas Raiders' defense / © Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

For Graham, the poor showing falls on everyone's shoulders.

“There are several plays, whoever it is, that we want back," Graham said. "Whenever the result is what it was, 30-12, there are a lot of plays that everybody wants back. There are calls I want back.

"It's a collective, there are 11 people playing defense and we've got to play with great effort each play, that's part of a good defense. We've got to be able to tackle, we've got to be able to stop the run and minimize the passing game. 

"And I've got to do a good job of putting those guys in the right spot."

For the first time in a while, the Silver and Black find themselves depending on their defense to keep them in games. That will again be the case on the road against the Lions. They hope to show last week was simply an off game. 

The Silver and Black will stay on the road to take on the Detroit Lions on Monday night, Oct. 30, at 8:15 p.m. EDT/5:15 p.m. PDT.

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