Oakland Raiders

Connected Franchise Mode Strategy CFM Team Rating: 78 Offense: 81 Defense: 79 Offensive Scheme: Power Run Defensive Scheme: Base 4-3 Strengths: FB, LOLB, LT, C Weaknesses: HB, QB, RE 2014 Team Rankings 4th AFC West (3-13-0) Passing Offense: 26th Rushing Offense: 32nd Passing Defense: 16th Rushing Defense: 22nd 2014 team leaders Passing: Derek Carr: 3,270 Rushing: Darren McFadden: 534 Receiving: Andre Holmes: 693 Tackles: Charles Woodson: 113 Sacks: Justin Tuck: 5 Ints: Charles Woodson: 4 Key Additions WR Michael Crabtree LB Malcolm Smith QB Christian Ponder HB Trent Richardson HB Roy Helu Jr. Key Rookies WR Amari Cooper DT Mario Edwards Jr. TE Clive Walford Owner: Mark Davis Legacy Score: 0 Coach: Jack Del Rio Level: 4 Legacy Score: 50 Offensive Scheme: Power Run Defensive Scheme: Base 4-3

Offensive Scouting Report

• QB Derek Carr stepped in and showed promise during his rookie season. Continue to develop his Deep Accuracy rating, or his big arm won’t lead to many big plays.
• The Raiders have moved on from two veterans in their backfield, but that can’t hurt their rushing attack, which ranked worst in the league last season. Give Latavius Murray the bulk of the carries and run behind the left side of the line, because it is your strong suit.
• The Raiders don’t have much stability in their WR corps, but the signing of Michael Crabtree and the drafting of Amari Cooper could change that. Build chemistry between Cooper and Carr to really change the dynamic of the offense. Don’t forget about FB Marcel Reece. He is the most dynamic FB in the game, so find clever ways to get him involved.

Defensive Scouting Report

• LE Justin Tuck is the pass rusher of the bunch on the defensive line. On the other side, allow RE Mario Edwards to develop into an all-around player. Currently his best purpose is to stop the run.
• The Raiders nailed their draft pick last season with LB Khalil Mack. Continue to get him on the field no matter what the situation or position and reap the rewards.
• The Raiders have an extremely young secondary that has some solid talent on the corners. Allow FS Charles Woodson to be the veteran leader and help develop the youngsters into stars.

Schedule

Key Players

• The value you get from a player like Reece is up to the play caller. Don’t forget to sub him in at TE and even HB — otherwise trade him.
• Reece is like a Swiss army knife and has the skill set to do multiple jobs.

• Mack is an incredible talent that fits perfectly into the Raiders’ scheme. Allow him to be the centerpiece of your defense.
• Keep working on the play recognition for Khalil Mack so teams won’t be able to use his speed against him with play action.

• Cooper not only will go for some amazing catches, but also he will hang onto them with his high Spectacular Catch and Catch in Traffic ratings.
• Continue to develop Amari Cooper’s Release rating if you want him to be a matchup nightmare vs any CB.

• Spend more time upgrading Dyer than Trent Richardson at this stage. Dyer can be a short-yardage option.
• Dyer doesn’t have much value until you upgrade his agility, but thankfully there is plenty of time.

OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

SPECIAL TEAMS

Best Offensive Plays

BEST RUN: Singleback Ace Pair Slot — Inside Zone Split

Setup:

• Get your highest-rated impact blocker into the game at TE.
• If the defense loses contain off the left edge, make a quick juke and get outside. It won’t happen often, but it makes for a big gain.
• This is a simple run up the middle, which should help the Raiders improve on their last ranked rushing attack from last season.

Advanced Setup:

• Motion the far right TE to the right (optional).

Running Plays

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

BEST PASS: Gun Bunch Open Offset — Y Trail

Setup/Reads:

• Against zone coverage hang onto the ball and look for the post; otherwise, dump it to the flat if you see pressure.
• Against man-to-man coverage one of the routes across the middle will open up, even against a strong user defender.
• Your options for the far left WR are nearly endless, and the smoke screen or comeback route is good if there is no flat zone.

Advanced Setup:

• Streak the far left WR.

Passing Plays

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

Best Defensive Plays

BEST RUN DEFENSE: 4-3 Under Odd — Will Go Fire 3

Setup:

• Consider crashing your line down and showing blitz in short- yardage situations.
• While your blitzing LB might not shoot the gap, he will take out any lead blockers and allow your teammates to make the play.

Player to Control:

• The FS (drop into the box vs run- heavy formations)

Run Defense

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

BEST PASS DEFENSE: Nickel Double A Gap — Rush 3 Buzz

Setup:

• Make sure to get Khalil Mack into the game off the left edge, because his speed will help generate pressure.
• Your DEs in this formation should have solid Zone Coverage ratings since they will be asked to drop into coverage at times.
• Crashing your line can help ramp up the pressure, but you will give up the quick throw, especially to the flat.

Player to Control:

• DE on the right side of the screen dropping into hook zone

Pass Defense

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ