Raiders Need Someone To Spark Offense After New England Loss

The Las Vegas Raiders took a beatdown against the New England Patriots last Sunday, and they’re still reeling from how badly they were exposed. They need someone to step up and spark the offense, as the Patriots found a winning formula that involved showing blitz looks while taking away the hot reads that quarterback Kirk Cousins has been relying on to get yardage and points. 

So who are the candidates? Here’s a rundown of the not-so-inspiring list as the Raiders continue to prepare to play the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. 

Tre Tucker, WR

Tucker is the most obvious candidate, but he hasn’t been able to get it done so far. He’s been decent, and Tucker leads the team with three catches that have gone for more than 20 yards. That’s not a lot, but he’s close to being it at the moment. 

Can Tucker deliver? A better, related question is whether the offensive line can hold up for long enough for Tucker to get open. That didn’t happen at all against New England, but if it does Cousins has shown the ability to find Tucker running free in the middle of the field. 

Jalen Nailor, WR

Nailor will return to the lineup against the Bills now that he’s passed the concussion protocol, but he was a disappointment even before he went out. Coach Klint Kubiak called out Nailor in the preseason for a couple of key drops, and things really haven’t gotten much better since. 

If you want to finger one player for this part of the offensive failures so far, Nailor’s your guy. The Raiders gave him a good deal and the opportunity to show he can be a No. 1 receiver, but so far he hasn’t even played like a decent No. 2. It could be a long season if he can’t step up and do more, and we haven’t seen any signs so far that he’s capable of doing this. 

Cody White, WR

White has been a great story so far, as he has seven catches so for for 108 yards and three touchdowns since the Raiders promoted him from the practice squad. He has some potential as a possession receiver, but looking to him for a spark is a big ask. 

Mike Washington Jr., RB

Washington is the player fans keep asking about, as he’s shown the ability to make plays by bouncing runs outside. But Kubiak seems committed to his ride-or-die approach with running back Ashton Jeanty, who’s beat up and struggling with runs that often look a lot like what we saw last year.