With the Las Vegas Raiders still searching for answers on offense, many are pointing to their offensive line as the cause of why the team can’t score points or move the ball on the ground as effectively as they should.
With a returning NFL rushing champion in Josh Jacobs, the Raiders’ failure to run the ball through the first four weeks is a major reason why their offense is in neutral.
With Jacobs missing all of training camp due to a contract dispute, he was certain to be a slow starter, but the team’s inability to run effectively is hampering what they can do overall and many believe that falls on the offensive line. Yet, do the numbers show that’s the case?
With a new QB and weapons galore, Las Vegas Raiders offense is failing
Missing the Raiders 24-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo certainly deserves some scrutiny. After four weeks (and missing a game), Garoppolo still leads the league in interceptions and he’s been inconsistent. Brought in to replace veteran Derek Carr, Garoppolo was touted by the team’s management as reliable and credited for taking care of the ball. Yet, he’s struggled and so has the Raiders’ offense.
Entering their Week 5 Monday Night Football matchup with the Green Bay Packers, the Raiders rank 15th in passing yards (947), 16th in completion percentage (66.2), 26th in scoring (15.5 ppg) and last in rushing offense, gaining a meager 65.3 yards per game. Last year’s NFL rushing champion Josh Jacobs has only 62 carries for 166 yards — a 2.7 yards per carry average.
So, is it the offensive line’s regression causing the offense to sputter? Or is there another explanation?
Related: Las Vegas Raiders standing in Sportsnaut’s NFL offense rankings
Regression seen in pass protection for the Las Vegas Raiders
The conversation around the Raiders’ offensive line struggles in 2023 has focused on the running game, but the numbers show the most significant drop-off from 2022 has been on the pass-blocking side.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Raiders scored a 73.0 pass-blocking rating during the 2022 season. So far 2023, that rating has dipped by three points to 70.0.
In the first three weeks of the season, the Raiders’ offensive line yielded only 18 pressures, with four resulting in sacks. However, they faced a significant challenge against the Chargers’ defense, and specifically Khalil Mack, allowing 14 pressures and allowing seven sacks. In the past two games, the Raiders were given a 59.6 against Pittsburgh and 62.1 against Los Angeles. In comparison, they scored 72.2 against Denver in Week 1 and 89.7 against the talented Bills defense in Week 2.
The mixed bag that is the Raiders pass blocking through four weeks may surprise folks, but it is what the numbers show thus far.
The myth of poor run blocking
The Raiders PFF ranking puts them at 17th overall in the NFL, just behind the Buffalo Bills (62.3) and ahead of the disappointing Cincinnati Bengals (56.0). While not the best in the league, the Raiders have improved over 2022 thus far in run blocking, according to PFF.
Last season, the year Jacobs rushed for 1,650 yards and a rushing title, the Raiders finished the regular season ranked — you guessed it — 17th. The premise that the offensive line has regressed in the running game, but is solid in the passing game doesn’t hold water looking at the numbers. With a team that is 1-3 and struggling to score points, it’s unsurprising to find them in the middle of the pack regarding these numbers.
While the improvement in overall run blocking along the Raiders’ front goes unnoticed, the reason why they are struggling to run the ball must have other factors contributing to their anemic results.
Related: Find out where the Las Vegas Raiders stand in Sportsnaut’s NFL power rankings
Could Josh Jacobs’ holdout be the ultimate cause?
If the Las Raiders’ offensive front is blocking about the same, or a smidge better than last season, we have to take a look at Jacobs himself and his effectiveness.
It’s hard to overlook the performance of Jacobs after missing all of training camp. While no one expected him to come in at 100% football-ready, his brutally slow start may indicate his ability to find holes and gain yards has been hampered by the missed time.
Consider this: Jacobs averages 1.4 yards per carry before contact and 1.8 yards after contact in 2023. He’s broken just one tackle through four weeks and his longest rush from scrimmage is just 10 yards. Last season, Jacobs averaged 2.4 yards before contact per rush and 2.4 yards after contact, breaking 31 tackles over 17 games.
Last season, the Raiders started slow rushing, as then-new coach Josh McDaniels went pass-heavy. Once the coach settled in and Jacobs emerged, the Raiders went back to their bell cow, and the rest is history.
Through four games last year, the Raiders had 452 yards rushing — with almost half of that coming in Week 4 with 212 in a 32-23 win over Denver. In 2023, they have roughly half that through four games.
There’s no question the Raiders must more effectively run the ball to open up their offense and score points. While the offensive line isn’t perfect, and there is always room for improvement, they need Jacobs to get better and return to form if they are to change their current trajectory.