NFL Oakland Raiders

6 Things We Learned From the Oakland Raiders’ 2014 Season

6 Things We Learned From the Oakland Raiders’ 2014 Season

Derek Carr Oakland Raiders
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

As evidenced by a 3-13 record, the Oakland Raiders inhabited the cellar of the NFL in 2014. Fans have reason to be frustrated, but it is worth noting that the Raiders’ three wins came against the Chiefs, 49ers and Bills, all of whom finished with non-losing records. Here are six things, some good and some bad, that we learned from the Raiders’ season.

6. Poor Ground Game Dragged Down Entire Offense

Darren McFadden Oakland Raiders
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

6. Poor Ground Game Dragged Down Entire Offense

Darren McFadden Oakland Raiders
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

No team rushed for fewer yards than the Raiders in 2014. Problems on the ground translated to the air, where the Raiders’ passing offense didn’t exactly conjure up images of the 1999 Rams. It’s time for Latavius Murray and his 5.2 yards per carry average to take more of a central role in the backfield over the injury-prone Darren McFadden.

5. 3rd Down Efficiency Needs Improvement

Derek Carr Oakland Raiders
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

5. 3rd Down Efficiency Needs Improvement

Derek Carr Oakland Raiders
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Raiders converted only 33.9 percent of their third-down situations, the fifth-worst rate in the NFL. The offense’s inability to keep drives alive exhausted the guys on the other side of the ball. Imagine how dominant the Raiders’ defense, which ranked middle-of-the-pack in yards allowed, could be if Derek Carr and the offense do a better job of converting on third down.

4. Charles Woodson Still Has It

Charles Woodson Oakland Raiders
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

4. Charles Woodson Still Has It

Charles Woodson Oakland Raiders
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The future Hall of Famer continues to impress. Even though he turned 38 in October, Woodson posted a career-high and team-high 112 tackles, a sack and four interceptions, the most he’s had in a single season since his seven-pick 2011 season. Woodson will be a free agent in the offseason; the Raiders need to aggressively re-sign him.

3. Derek Carr Could Be Quarterback of the Future

Derek Carr Oakland Raiders
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

3. Derek Carr Could Be Quarterback of the Future

Derek Carr Oakland Raiders
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

While his season stats leave something to be desired (that 58.1 percent completion rate in particular), Carr has drawn Aaron Rodgers comparisons and appears to be the best quarterback in the 2014 draft class. His near-perfect game in the win over San Francisco (140.2 rating, 78.6 percent completion rate, 254 yards, three touchdowns, no picks) was one of the best quarterback performances of 2014.

2. Defense Needs to Force More Sacks In 2015

Sio Moore Oakland Raiders
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

2. Defense Needs to Force More Sacks In 2015

Sio Moore Oakland Raiders
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Raiders sacked opposing quarterbacks only 22 times in 2014, the second-worst total in the NFL. For the secondary to perform better next season, Sio Moore and the rest of the Oakland pass rushers must do a better job of generating pressure.

1. Khalil Mack Was the Right Pick

Khalil Mack Oakland Raiders
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

1. Khalil Mack Was the Right Pick

Khalil Mack Oakland Raiders
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

A frontrunner for Defensive Rookie of the Year, Mack’s impact is felt beyond statistics. However, it is worth noting that he led the team with 13 tackles for losses. There is reason to believe that Mack could blossom into the best defensive player of his generation.

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