Oakland Raiders Not Getting Returns on Defensive Investments

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Sep 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) runs for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in the fourth quarter at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The Falcons defeated the Raiders 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

Bottom Line

Raider Nation had it’s hopes up high after seeing the Raiders’ free agency haul this offseason. Everyone thought putting them together with the young nucleus would put them over the top. But so far, the Raiders defense is actually much worse than last year.

Most teams in the NFL that average 31.5 yards per game in two games go 2-0 in that span. But the Raiders are 1-1 because they’ve allowed 34.5 points per game and a total of 1,035 yards. That tells you that the three big signings the Raiders made for that defense did work out.

When you sign three players for $23 million, they should be a part of the solution. However, Irvin, Smith and Nelson are all a part of the problem. I’m not saying give up on the season after two games or even that the three players are bad players.

But I am saying that no matter how they do going forward they already aren’t worth the money they make. Players that make that kind of money don’t have two games in a row like this. They especially don’t play on the same defense that’s the worst in the NFL.

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