If there’s a something at Las Vegas Raiders headquarters that says “In Case of Emergency Break Glass” on it, that thing should’ve been shattered long ago.
With the Silver & Black offensive line in serious
need of a defibrillator through the first three games of the 2025 season, there’s no more dire of a calamity in Las Vegas.
The Raiders are in the league cellar when it comes to rushing offense ranking 30th out of the 32 teams with 217 yards on 71 carries and one touchdown. Averaging just 3.1 yards per carry and 72.3 yards per game, the Raiders are only ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers (189 yards on 67 carries, one touchdown, 2.8 yards per carry and 63 yards per game averages) and Cincinnati Bengals (147 yards on 61 carries, two touchdowns, 2.4 yards per carry and 49 yards per game averages).
Flip it to the aerial attack and, while Las Vegas may boast the No. 6 group in yards thrown (744), the team ranks second overall in sacks allowed at 12. The Raiders’ woes were ever-present in the team’s 41-24 loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 3. Prized rookie running back Ashton Jeanty was waylaid constantly when given opportunities to carry the rock. And quarterback Geno Smith was under duress just as constantly getting sacked five times. (Clarification on the yards thrown stat above, Smith has thrown for 831 yards, but that 774 sum is minus the yards lost in sacks).
There was even a clip during Sunday’s broadcast of Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and senior offensive assistant Joe Philbin expressing their frustration. The exasperation is shared globally amongst Raider Nation, too.
Now comes the key part: What are the Raiders coaches going to do about it?
Because if this moribund trend continues, a run game revival will truly be out of reach for the Raiders. Fortunately for the Silver & Black, it’s not at that point — yet.
Line Item
Forget a move back to center for Jackson Powers-Johnson. Raiders head coach Pete Carroll was quick to shoot that notion down on Wednesday afternoon.
“Absolutely not, no,” Carroll said when asked if he’d consider a front group like last season that saw Jordan Meredith at left guard, Powers-Johnson at center, and Dylan Parham at right guard.
“We’ve invested a lot of time with these guys playing in their spots,” Carrol added. “I know you’re interested in JPJ (Jackson Powers-Johnson). This is an official week to practice and to get ready. Last week was not that. So, he’s ready to compete for the playing time, and he and Alex (Cappa) will be going at it. So, it’s a good situation in that regard.”
Noting that Powers-Johnson hasn’t “hit anyone in about two weeks”, that’s Carroll’s reasoning for the competition at the right guard spot with Cappa.
Thus, a focus on communication and fundamentals — both items lacking in the lifeblood of any NFL offense — for the Raiders offensive line is under a spotlight as opposed to personnel changes up front. While having the same group in the trenches likely won’t be appealing to many, Las Vegas has no choice but to forge on as Carroll indicates the line will remain the same.
Grin & Bear It
Las Vegas’ Week 4 matchup with the Chicago Bears (1-2 overall) is appealing for the Silver & Black based on rankings. Chicago walks into Allegiant Stadium with the 26th-ranked run defense in terms of yards allowed (418).
If there’s an opponent where honing communication and execution can synergize into a positive thing, it’s Chicago and Las Vegas is playing at home.
The Raiders aren’t devoid of running success. There are glimpses of when things click and Jeanty gains ground and punishes defenders. But far too often, there’s miscues not only in the trenches with the offensive line, but also with Jeanty picking misreading what’s developing in front of him.
It’s must be a collective effort between Kelly, offensive line coach Brennan Carroll, assistant line coach Andy Dickerson, and Philbin. Brennan, who also has run game coordinator on his title, is taking a lot of flak for the lack of success and for good reason. If he can’t get the offensive line to shape up, play together, and be the effective engine up front, the nepotism hire (Pete is his dad) murmurs grow louder.
Outside The Box
I’ve long said the absence of the Power I formation with a true fullback in front of a running back the last two seasons is blasphemy when it comes to Raiders traditions. And I’m well aware that it’s highly likely a fullback won’t be on Las Vegas roster with Kelly as the play caller.
But there’s an intriguing rookie on the roster right now who has potential to not only be a burly lead blocker, but a short-yardage terror as a ball carrier himself: JJ Pegues.
The 6-foot-2 and 325-pound defensive tackle has yet to be active in Las Vegas’ first three games of the year, but with the run game struggling and opposing teams stuffing short-yardage attempts, why not give Pegues a look-see?
He has the size and strength along with power and nimble feet to make things at least interesting. Pegues, who went from a tight end at Auburn over to the defensive side of the ball at Mississippi State, was a fixture in Lane Kiffin’s short-yardage/goal line packages getting 21 carries for 69 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
Pegues can’t possibly do any worse than running backs Zamir White (10 carries for 25 yards) and Dylan Laube (three carries for two yards) and would be a textbook example of the type of thing you break glass for in case of emergency.
