|
|
Article: Big problems on big plays Defense yields too many sizable gains
- Article from:
- Oakland Tribune
- Article date:
- November 11, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2003 Oakland Tribune. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
|
ALAMEDA -- For weeks, those finding fault with the Oakland Raiders
have put the blame on a sluggish offense.
Sunday, there was no denying a change in focus. The Raiders
defense took it on the chin in the team's 27-24 overtime loss to the
New York Jets.
The points and the yardage were one thing. The real culprit in the
Raiders' seventh loss of the year, their fifth straight, were big
plays.
There were seven Jets plays that gained 20 or more yards -- two
runs and five passes -- that accounted for 259 of the Jets' 424
yards.
"Twenty yards or more is what the NFL considers a big play," free
safety Rod Woodson said. "Last year we led the league in not allowing
them."
It's been a ...