What We Realized from Sunday’s 12 video games

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Nick Shook’s takeaways:

1. Raiders get proper. There was no higher time to fulfill the Titans than Week 6 for Las Vegas, a staff that was reeling after 4 straight losses, together with a 34-point drubbing final week. The Raiders took benefit of the chance, rising from a first-quarter sleepwalk with loads of power within the center quarters to assert a 17-0 lead with relative ease. Geno Smith lastly seemed extra like himself for many of the day (albeit in a shortened, checkdown-reliant trend), Ashton Jeanty discovered a little bit of a rhythm on the bottom and Las Vegas’ protection suffocated Tennessee’s offense for many of the afternoon, making for a joyous day inside Allegiant Stadium. It was sorely wanted, particularly when contemplating what awaits the Silver and Black: dates with Kansas City, Jacksonville and Denver within the subsequent 4 weeks. It’s a frightening stretch forward, however one that’s extra palatable after ending a four-game shedding skid.
2. Titans stay a sloppy staff. The story of this loss will be informed by Tennessee’s checklist of miscues. Three turnovers (one Cam Ward interception, two misplaced fumbles), seven penalties, 3 for 13 on third down and 6 sacks given up illustrate all that went flawed for the Titans. They are a squad that produces loads of unmemorable moments and solely appears to discover a rhythm after they’re pressured to function at a sooner tempo within the late phases of a sport. Tennessee’s funding within the offensive line has not paid off, and with out Calvin Ridley, Ward would not have a lot to work with when throwing — that’s, when he even has time to throw. I admit it is a loopy thought, however maybe this offensive would possibly profit from adopting an identification alongside the strains of the Chip Kelly-led Oregon Ducks, counting on up-tempo offense as the idea of their assault. At minimal, it’d put opposing defenses on their heels as an alternative of permitting them to pin their ears again as they typically do in opposition to the Titans.
3. Las Vegas has work to do up entrance. The Raiders are going residence completely happy on Sunday night, however they nonetheless want to wash up their blocking. It’s been a persistent theme this season, limiting Jeanty’s potential as a difference-making again, and crept up once more Sunday. Consider: Jeanty was stuffed for a loss or no acquire on 4 of his 10 makes an attempt in opposition to gentle containers, and Raiders rushers had been stuffed 11 instances on 29 whole makes an attempt, probably the most run stuffs by any staff in a sport this season, per Next Gen Stats. Tennessee’s defensive power exists up entrance, however that price of failure is unsustainable throughout a full season for any NFL staff. Las Vegas overcame these struggles with a wholesome dose of play motion and inventive design that leaked out tight finish Michael Mayer into gentle spots in zone protection by way of block-and-release assignments, which Smith was completely happy to make use of to his profit, together with on his landing cross to Mayer. That’s merely a bandage for the higher concern, although.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Titans-Raiders (by way of NFL Pro): Geno Smith accomplished 17 of 23 passes for 174 yards, a landing and an interception within the Raiders’ Week 6 win, averaging 2.7 air yards per try, his fewest in a sport since Week 9, 2022. He tried just one cross past 10 air yards (16-yard completion), his fewest in a sport since Week 6, 2016. 

NFL Research: With one passing landing Sunday, Cam Ward has simply three passing touchdowns in his first six profession begins. The solely No. 1 general quarterbacks with fewer passing touchdowns via their first six profession begins since 1970 are Terry Bradshaw (2), John Elway (1) and Alex Smith (0).