The Raiders’ defensive unit just got torched for 38 points against the 49ers this past Sunday, marking a brutal sixth consecutive game where they’ve given up 30-plus points. But here’s the kicker: Head coach Klint Kubiak came out Monday and flat-out said he expects *no* changes to the defense or defensive coordinator Rob Leonard. He’s standing by his guy, despite the numbers screaming for a shake-up.
This Is a Defensive Meltdown, Period.
Let’s just look at the cold, hard facts. Early in the season, things actually looked decent for the Raiders. They kicked off with a 3-0 start, and the defense was a key part of that, ranking eighth in points allowed, giving up just 18 points per game, and 11th in yards allowed at 316.8 yards per game. That’s respectable, right? It showed promise!
But ever since Week 4, it’s been an absolute freefall. Las Vegas now ranks dead last in points allowed, giving up a horrifying 35.7 points per game. They are also last in rushing yards allowed, surrendering 168.7 yards on the ground every single week. Want more? They’re last in defensive efficiency at a dismal 17.54, and their pass rush is nowhere to be found, sitting at 29th in the league with only nine sacks. The team has lost five of their past six games. This isn’t just a slump; it’s a full-blown crisis on that side of the ball.
Kubiak’s Unwavering (and Head-Scratching) Confidence
Despite the undeniable collapse, Coach Kubiak is refusing to budge. He doubled down on his defensive coordinator, saying, “In fact, I see us doing the things we said we’re going to do [but] better.” Better? Right now, they’re last in almost everything that matters on defense. He continued, “Stand behind, Rob. Stand behind our defensive staff. Stand behind our players. And I think the world wants someone’s head on the platter every time things don’t go right. But the way that I see it is that we brought people here for a reason: to get a job done and develop players for the long haul.”
Look, loyalty is one thing, but performance is another. He even admitted, “I have seen it work. Just not for four quarters.” That’s the problem, coach! Football games are four quarters long, and this defense is consistently folding when it counts. The idea that they are “developing players for the long haul” while giving up 30+ points a game for over a month straight feels like a tough pill for fans to swallow.
With Kubiak doubling down on his defensive staff, the pressure is squarely on Rob Leonard and his unit to turn this ship around. Can they find those four quarters of consistent play Kubiak talks about? The numbers right now are yelling a different story, and Raiders fans have got to be wondering how long this “long haul” development is going to take before some real changes actually happen.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
Leave a Reply