NFL power rankings: 32-team overreactions heading into Week 2

Where’s the All-Pro, Khalil Mack, when you need him?

The Oakland Raiders defense is going to be bad in 2018, notably worse than it would have been with Mack in the picture. But we knew that. And any doubts whether head coach Jon Gruden and Co. could overcome that were quickly erased against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football.

Or were they?

The Raiders defense was stout enough in the first half against what was the NFL’s top offense from a year ago. And during that half, it was Oakland’s offense moving the ball. Not exactly L.A.

All that changed in the second half, however, and the Raiders weren’t only able to muster any second-half points after dominating the action early.

Offensively, quarterback Derek Carr discovered some chemistry with tight end Jared Cook to the tune of 181 yards. Oddly enough, though, Carr only hit wide receiver Amari Cooper once on the night. And those three interceptions against zero touchdowns won’t look good.

Especially now that Mack has more touchdowns on the season than Carr.

Gruden will now be tasked with putting together a complete game after dominating one half and falling flat in the other.