Raiders’ defense improves communication, results

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Communication. It’s a word that football coaches and players use when they don’t want to communicate to the media what’s really happening on the field.

The Raiders’ defense has taken a big step from being a welcome mat the first two games, and, despite the popular explanation, it’s not merely because players are talking to each other more between plays.

Oakland has made some changes, namely playing both of its safeties deep now as opposed to the single-high looks of the first two games. Oakland also plugged rookies Karl Joseph and Cory James into the starting lineup two weeks ago. And then, on the game-preserving series in Baltimore on Sunday, the coaches sent safety Joseph on blitzes. Again and again.

Al Davis must have been rolling over in his grave.

First, the two-high look. Head coach Jack Del Rio makes a point about not discussing strategy. Several players either laughed or made big eyes when asked simply to acknowledge they weren’t lining up with a single-high safety as much.

Coach head coach Jack Del Rio of the Oakland Raiders against the Falcons at the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. on September 18th, 2016. Coach head coach Jack Del Rio of the Oakland Raiders against the Falcons at the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. on September 18th, 2016. Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Raiders’ defense improves communication, results 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco noticed it.

“You saw them kind of switch their philosophy up a little bit,” he said. “We were hoping we could get by some of those safeties a little bit, get by them deep with Mike (Wallace), and it just never happened.”

The Ravens had a 52-yard touchdown pass to Steve Smith on Sunday on one of the few plays the Raiders had man-to-man coverage. Otherwise, the zone defense — with safeties Reggie Nelson and Joseph playing back and showing their range — worked well.

After allowing 1,035 yards and 69 points to the Saints and Falcons in the first two games, Oakland (3-1) has allowed 805 yards and 37 points to the Titans and Ravens. Now, a dip in average yards per play allowed from 8.0 to 5.6 is not going to evoke memories of the ’85 Bears, but it’s a start.

“We’re doing a good job of learning from our mistakes,” Nelson said.

And they are communicating better, and committing fewer “eye violations,” as Del Rio calls looking in the wrong place.

James had 12 solo tackles against the Ravens, and though seven came on gains of 5 or more yards, he did show a nose for the ball and a better ability to shed blocks than former starter Ben Heeney.

As for Joseph, the first-round pick known for his hitting ability has shown he also can get from Point A to Point B quickly when B is the quarterback. The Ravens got to the 50-yard line on the last drive and no farther, thanks to some added pressure from Joseph.

“He’s an explosive athlete and he seeks the football, so we gave him a couple of opportunities in the game to blitz a little bit,” Del Rio said. “We’ll continue to look for ways to use our guys.”

So, there are some other reasons the Raiders’ defense is playing well going into Sunday’s game against the Chargers (1-3).

Besides the obvious one, obviously.

“Communication,” cornerback Sean Smith said. “Everybody being on the same page. As the weeks go on and we continue to learn to play off one another, ‘When he sees this formation, what’s he thinking,’ it’s going to get better and better.

“It all takes time. But we’re taking the right steps and working hard.”

Vic Tafur is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vtafur@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VicTafur