3 Stats That Highlight Raiders’ Defensive Dominance

The Raiders didn’t force a turnover through the first three quarters. But the defense made sure to give the offense a chance to win the game by taking the ball away. 

New Orleans had a five-point lead and drove down to the Raiders’ 29-yard line. Then Malcolm Koonce turned the corner, hit Shough and forced a fumble that Maxx Crosby recovered. The Raiders went down and scored to take the lead. 

But the defense was needed again, as the Saints trailed by just one midway through the fourth. Hezekiah Masses caught a wobbly Shough pass and returned it inside the Saints’ five-yard line to set the offense up.

The Saints drove back into Raiders’ territory only trailing by eight. But Jeremy Chinn sacked Shough on a fourth down and forced another fumble. 

The offense only burned 37 seconds off the clock on its next drive, but once again the defense stepped up. Nakobe Dean forced one last fumble, this time from Juwan Johnson. When Eric Stokes fell on it, the Raiders secured their third victory of the season. 

40 Yard Line

The Raiders defense didn’t actually score in the fourth quarter. The offense had to capitalize on the turnovers. But the defense did make it as easy as possible. 

The Raiders’ average starting field position in the fourth quarter was the Saints’ 40.5 yard line. The easiest drive started at the New Orleans four-yard line. 

The offense struggled to run the ball and explosive passing plays were hard to come by. But with constant short fields, the Raiders were able to cash in on defensive excellence.