Two big things happened in the Las Vegas Raiders 25-24 loss to the Chicago Bears yesterday: (1) Running back Ashton Jeanty finally had his big breakout game (2) quarterback Geno Smith got picked three times and threw for just 117 yards.
These two things are interrelated, and they may represent a way forward for the Raiders. Smith has been doing his “good Geno, bad Geno” routine since the season started, and the last two games have featured plenty of the latter.
Jeanty, meanwhile, is still trying to get his footing as an NFL rookie running back facing the pressure of being a top ten pick. The pressure is real, and it’s forced Jeanty, coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly to answer plenty of justifiable questions about the lack of performance.
Did they fix this problem? Sort of. One fix was the schedule, which handed the Raiders a bad defense. The Bears gave up almost 80 points in their first two games, so there were opportunities for Jeanty and the Raiders to exploit.
Las Vegas also gave Jeanty more opportunities to get out in space, This was his one of his big strengths in college. While he’s adept at hiding behind big lineman and finding inside running lanes when they’re there to be had, he’s a load when he gets to edge. That’s where he his unique strength, speed and center of gravity makes him a tough takedown, and it showed against Chicago.
Even better, the Raiders actively used him in the passing game. Jeanty struggled in pass protection in his first two games, but the Raiders really don’t have any choice when it comes to using him. They lack an established downfield threat as currently constituted, although young receiver Tre Tucker is starting to emerge, with four touchdowns and a 14.9 yards per catch average in the first four games.
Relying more on Jeanty to take some of the heat off Geno Smith might not be the best strategy, given that he’s still a rookie, and a rookie with a fumbling problem at that. But Las Vegas might not have a choice going forward if Smith can’t show more consistency.
Unfortunately, whatever adjustments the Raiders made in the run game might be moot for at least the next week or two. The Raiders lost left tackle Kolton Miller to what was described as a high ankle sprain, and having to use the depth chart to protect Geno’s blind side won’t be ideal. Chip Kelly will need to find a quick fix, though, with a road game coming against the Indianapolis Colts coming and a three-game losing streak already on the books.