The Las Vegas Raiders fell to 2-11 after suffering a 31-14 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 13.
New offensive coordinator, same offensive struggles. Interim offensive coordinator Greg Olson didn’t do anything different from Chip Kelly except feed rookie running back Ashton Jeanty more, although Jeanty was ineffective.
“The Raiders tried to establish the run game,” ESPN’s Ryan McFadden wrote Sunday. “However, rookie running back Ashton Jeanty totaled 31 yards on 15 carries (2.1 yards per carry). He was stopped for a loss or no gain on five attempts.”
Feeding Jeanty should have been the gameplan regardless of game script when Kelly was calling plays, but that was just one of many issues surrounding Kelly’s offense. Jeanty logged 15 carries for just 31 yards, but he is providing value as a receiver. He caught six passes for 30 yards and has had eight targets in each of the last three games.
Quarterback Geno Smith was efficient, completing 18 of 23 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. He had minus-six rushing yards on two carries.
Considering the offense can’t score points and the defense can’t keep up with opposing offenses, the Raiders are at high risk of losing out the remainder of the season.
“Las Vegas has a strong chance of finishing with its third two-win season in franchise history and its first since 2006,” McFadden wrote. “The Raiders' inability to score due to struggles on the offensive line will make it difficult for Las Vegas to be competitive in the coming weeks. Three of the team's final five games are against the [Denver] Broncos, [Houston] Texans and [Kansas City] Chiefs -- all of whom have solid defenses. The Raiders also have to face the reigning champions, the Eagles, on the road in Week 15. A glimmer of hope comes in Week 17 against the Giants, who are 2-10 before ‘Monday Night Football.’”
If the Raiders manage to lose out, they will likely have a top-three pick in next year’s draft. Obviously, the players are trying their best to win every game and not paying attention to draft stock, but it’s definitely on the minds of ownership and the front office.
Las Vegas will host the Denver Broncos next week in a divisional matchup. The Broncos won their first meeting 10-7 in Week 10, but it wasn’t easy going for Denver’s offense. If the Raiders can force Broncos QB Bo Nix to throw deep, they may have a shot at stealing a win from the American Football Conference’s top team.