Texans vs. Raiders: Takeaways
The questions and controversies going into the first NFL game in Mexico City since 2005 were about the altitude, the smog, and the adjustment the players would have to make. Coming out the other side, there are no more questions. Just controversy. And not about any of those things, but it was the referees who stole the limelight on Monday Night at the Azteca Stadium.
The Raiders were the beneficiaries of a number of key decisions all throughout the game, but Bill O’Brien also made some questionable coaching calls that allowed Oakland to stay in the game long enough to get those breaks. The Raiders are 8-2 and now a game ahead of both the Broncos and the Chiefs for the AFC West lead, and are tied for the Patriots for the #1 seed in the AFC.
The Texans on the other hand are 6-4, and in a perilous position with the Indianapolis Colts just one game behind them for the AFC South lead. Here is what I took from a crazy night at the Azteca.
1. Inconsistent Refereeing
The level of inconsistency and incompetence that some of the referees in this league show is gross. You have crossing “crossing a line” as an issue. In the first quarter, DeAndre Hopkins was ruled out of bounds on a play he clearly did not step out of bounds on, and was given a first down instead of a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Lamar Miller was running for a first down on a critical possession with the game tied.
Miller was not given the spot he needed, despite the fact that it looked clear the he picked up the first down on more than one play. You have one point where a player did not cross a line but was called that he did, and another spot where a player did cross a line, but it was called that he didn’t. This is a ridiculous level of inconsistency, and it could have a major impact on the season come week 17.
2. Interesting crowd reactions
From the overall thoughts and perspectives from a lot of different people, the fan experience in Mexico City was a success. The crowd was mostly Oakland fans, with some Houston fans and just other football fans in general in attendance. There was constant jeering before snaps all throughout the game, but the downfall of it was the green laser that was pointed at Brock Osweiler off and on all game.
The NFL is still looking into the matter of the laser, but aside from this, it sounds like the crowd overall was a nice, festive atmosphere for an NFL game.
3. Oakland’s goal line offense
The Raiders have kicked a field goal on a possession that the moved the ball inside their opponent’s ten yard line four times in their last two games, and three of those were inside the five. It happened twice tonight, and that came against a Houston team that is near the middle of the pack in red zone defense.
Pass plays on 3rd and goal from the one in the 2nd quarter, and then another pass from the two in the 3rd quarter will be questioned without a doubt. The Raiders need to start getting touchdowns inside the five-yard line if they are going to keep winning.
4. Bill O’Brien is way too conservative
This game was the sharp contrast of coaches between Jack Del Rio, who loves to go big and take risks, and Bill O’Brien, the classic example of a guy playing not to lose. The former Penn State headman made a number of decisions tonight that ended up being of large benefit to the Raiders.
In the first quarter, he punted on 4th and about five inches at the 46-yard line, and the Raiders turned that next possession into a touchdown. With just under seven minutes to go, Lamar Miller appeared to pick up a first down with a 3rd and 2 run, but was ruled short. O’Brien did not throw the red flag on a challenge he probably would have won. He did throw the challenge flag after the 4th down play that ended the same way, but that never would have happened if he had challenged on 3rd down.
And finally, the last crippling blow to Houston, he punted the ball on 4th and 4 with three minutes to go, and his team having just one timeout.
They never got it back.
5. Backfield passing game
Derek Carr has an embarrassment of riches at his receiving corps with Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree on the outside, but his running backs are proving to be dangerous as well. Latavius Murray, Jamize Olawale, and Jalen Richard combined for 199 receiving yards and two touchdowns, and that provided Carr with yet another set of targets to work with.
6. The Raiders are not a threat in January…right now It sounds bizarre to suggest that the team tied for the second best record in the league is not a postseason threat, but right now they aren’t. Oakland’s defense is just barely skating by to win games right now, and they are ranked 29th in the league in yards given up. Nobody with a defense 29th out of 32 is winning a Super Bowl. Add that to a red zone offense that is having some serious woes, an unseasoned quarterback in the playoffs, and I am just not sure if they can really get to Houston in February. If they fix the defense gets at least competent and the red zone offense picks up, they might get there. But not yet.