Raiders' Klint Kubiak Stands Behind DC Rob Leonard Despite Six Straight 30-Point Games Allowed
Las Vegas has given up 30-plus points in six consecutive games, but Kubiak said Monday he doesn't anticipate changes to the defense
Klint Kubiak isn't making a change on defense. The Raiders coach said Monday he doesn't anticipate any changes and expressed confidence in first-time defensive coordinator Rob Leonard after Sunday's 38-17 loss to the 49ers, the sixth straight game Las Vegas has allowed 30 or more points, ESPN's Ryan McFadden reported.
Leonard's unit started the season as one of the league's better groups. During the Raiders' 3-0 start, they ranked eighth in points allowed at 18 per game, tied for fourth in sacks with 10 and led the league with nine forced turnovers.
Since Week 4, it has collapsed. Las Vegas is last in the NFL in points allowed (35.7 per game) and rushing yards allowed (168.7) over that span, is tied for 29th in sacks with nine and has forced only five turnovers. San Francisco ran for 190 yards on Sunday, 94 of them in the first quarter, held the ball for 38 minutes and 18 seconds and finished with 414 total yards. Brock Purdy went 17 of 25 for 232 yards and two touchdowns.
Kubiak said he still believes in the scheme and the playcaller.
The defense is a big reason the Raiders have dropped five of six since the hot start to fall to 4-5, while Kirk Cousins has kept the starting job at quarterback.
The next test comes Sunday, Nov. 15, when Las Vegas hosts the Seahawks, who plan to start Drew Lock again with Sam Darnold out.