Silver And Black Pride
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.
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...
