ALAMEDA – Raiders free safety Charles Woodson wasn’t too happy with his defense following Sunday’s 24-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. While the offense couldn’t move or score and was the main reason why the game fell apart, the veteran said the defense shared equally in the defeat.
The defense actually played well, slowing Chiefs feature back Jamaal Charles and forcing Alex Smith to throw the ball away often to avoid mistakes.
Woodson's point of contention: too often the Chiefs scored seven points instead of three.
The Chiefs scored 17 points on the Raiders defense Sunday, and each drive started in Raiders territory. The Chiefs didn’t have a scoring drive longer than 41 yards, and two were within 30.
“We played well at times, but you have to hold them to field goals,” Woodson said. “We had some short fields, but that’s no excuse. We can’t allow that. When you allow touchdowns, you get beat.”
Short fields is right. The Chiefs scored 17 points on the Raiders defense Sunday, and each drive started in Raiders territory. The Chiefs didn’t have a scoring drive longer than 41 yards, and two were within 30.
The Raiders haven't protected the goal line well enough, and are giving up touchdowns on 60 percent of opposing trips into the red zone, a dismal mark ranked No. 22 in the league. By contrast, the Chiefs are the NFL's best red-zone defense, allowing TDs at a 25-percent clip.
The Raiders have to improve their red zone defense, even when given short fields. It’s a point of frustration and will be a point of emphasis through the bye and into the Oct. 27 game against Pittsburgh.
“It's our job to defend the end zone, and we haven't been doing a good job of that,” cornerback Tracy Porter said. “Regardless of what the offense does or where they get the ball, we still have to stop them or hold them to a field goal at least. We haven't been doing that enough.”
