Grading the Raiders in a 45-20 victory over New York Jets

New York Jets running back Elijah McGuire is tackled by Oakland Raiders defensive end Denico Autry (96) defensive end Jihad Ward (95) and strong safety Karl Joseph (42) in the first half of their game in Oakland, Calif.., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. Heidi Fang Las Vegas Review-Journal @HeidiFang

Sep 17, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) is upended by New York Jets free safety Marcus Maye (26) after making a catch in the second quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) catches a touchdown pass against New York Jets defensive back Buster Skrine (41) during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch (24) with quarterback Derek Carr (4) and offensive tackle Donald Penn (72) after scoring in the first half of their game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. Heidi Fang Las Vegas Review-Journal @HeidiFang

Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch (24) avoids a tackle from New York Jets cornerback Juston Burris (32) in the first half of their game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. Heidi Fang Las Vegas Review-Journal @HeidiFang

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Johnny Holton (16) celebrates with safety Shalom Luani (26) and linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) after recovering a muffed punt in the first half of their game against the New York Jets in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. Heidi Fang Las Vegas Review-Journal @HeidiFang

Oakland Raiders punter Marquette King (7) punts the football in the first half of their game against the New York Jets in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. Heidi Fang Las Vegas Review-Journal @HeidiFang

Oakland Raiders offensive tackle Donald Penn (72) with a referee during in the first half of their game against the New York Jets in Oakland, Calif.., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. Heidi Fang Las Vegas Review-Journal @HeidiFang

Oakland Raiders offensive guard Kelechi Osemele (70) celebrates with wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) after a catch in the first half of their game against the New York Jets in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. Heidi Fang Las Vegas Review-Journal @HeidiFang

How the team performed in a 45-20 home victory over the New York Jets:

Offense: A+

The Raiders used big plays and small plays and in-between plays — but mostly big plays — to blow open a game that saw the pesky New Yorkers pull within 21-13 midway through the third quarter. The 45 points were the most scored by the Raiders since 2010. The 410 yards seemed like a lot, too.

Defense: B

The Jets, basically thought of as the Howard University Bisons — er, better make that the Idaho Vandals — of the AFC, hung around for 2 1/2 quarters before the Raiders buckled down again. The Raiders allowed 271 yards, which is still pretty good, even against a middling opponent, and sacked the quarterback four times. They did not force any turnovers from Josh McCown — who not that long ago was playing QB for the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League.

Special teams: A

Just before halftime, a punt from Marquette King almost drew rain on a cloudless day. The Jets’ Kalif Raymond felt the pressure from Johnny Holton, the Raiders’ gunner. Raymond muffed, Holton recovered. The punt traveled 65 yards. Marshawn Lynch bulled in for a short touchdown run 21 seconds before the break. Big play? You bet.

Coaching: A

Cordarrelle Patterson moved from wide receiver (and a bunch of other positions) to running back, took a handoff from Derek Carr and 43 yards later vaulted into the Black Hole after scoring a touchdown that extended the Raiders’ lead to 28-13 after the Jets had pulled to within a TD and 2-point conversion. Patterson said the Raiders had worked on that play and look all week in practice. It worked even better in the game.

Intangibles

: B-

On another Sunday, or a Monday night or — heavens forbid — a Thursday night, one might have assigned the Raiders a C for imitating hockey’s Charlestown Chiefs in the movies and committing five first-half personal fouls. But the one on linebacker Bruce Irvin in front of the Raiders’ bench was sort of ticky-tack, and the team did everything else so well that it deserves straight A’s and B’s.

Ron Kantowski Las Vegas Review-Journal