The Oakland Raiders traveled to Foxborough yesterday for the New England Patriots’ home opener. Each team struggled to move the ball, especially on the ground, and Tom Brady’s second quarter touchdown pass was the only time either team found the end zone.
Here are some notable performances:
Oakland Raiders – Performances of Note
Khalil Mack, LB: +6.2
Breakdown: Mack was excellent for the second week in a row, and gave Nate Solder trouble throughout the game. The rookie recorded four run stops, and added two hits on Brady on his way to a game-best +6.2 grade.
Signature Stat: Mack was especially dominant in the run game, earning a +5.8 grade.
Austin Howard, RG: -3.0
Breakdown: Oakland’s offense finished the game with a cumulative -9.1 run blocking grade, and Howard was the worst offender after earning a -2.7 in that department. Howard also allowed a hit and a hurry.
Signature Stat: The Raiders ran 11 times for just 28 yards between the right A and B gaps behind Howard.
Denarius Moore, WR: -2.4
Breakdown: Moore was targeted seven times and caught three passes for just 23 yards, including two drops. Moore’s 0.96 Yards per Route Run for the game would rank second-worst among qualifying recievers so far in 2014.
Signature Play: Moore’s second dropped pass caromed off of Logan Ryan, right into the arms of DT Vince Wilfork for the game-sealing interception.
New England Patriots – Performances of Note
Dont’a Hightower, LB: +5.1
Breakdown: Hightower graded positively in all phases of defense (run defense, pass rushing and coverage) for the second week in a row, and currently leads all Patriots defenders with a +8.3 overall grade for the season. The Alabama product recorded four run stops, and had a hit and two hurries on 11 pass rush attempts.
Signature Stat: Hightower was at his best in pass coverage (+3.0), allowing 3 passes to be complete for -7 yards.
Nate Solder, LT: -3.3
Breakdown: Solder’s struggles continued yesterday, as he earned his third consecutive red-graded game. He had trouble with Khalil Mack throughout the game, and Solder’s overall grade now stands at -7.8 in 2014.
Signature Stat: Solder allowed three hits and a hurry on Tom Brady, earning a -2.5 pass blocking grade in the process.
Jerod Mayo, LB: +3.4
Breakdown: Mayo recorded four run stops, earning a team-best +2.4 run defense grade. Like Hightower, Mayo earned positive marks in all three areas defensively.
Signature Stat: Mayo recorded four QB hurries on just eight pass rushes.
PFF Game Ball
Khalil Mack gets the game ball in a losing effort, after posting the best game of his young career.
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