Raiders Offense Still Searching For Identity

The Las Vegas Raiders' offense looked out of synch for the third week in a row. After two losses in a row in a row, it is clear they players on this offense are still figuring out who they are. A rough loss on the road to Buffalo is understandable, but it has now been two weeks in a row that Las Vegas' offense has left the defense out to dry.

Against the Steelers, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 324 yards and two touchdowns, with three interceptions. Running back Josh Jacobs has yet to fully return to form, but he added 62 yards on 17 carries and wide receiver Davante Adams added 172 yards on 13 receptions.

Jacobs has a total of 108 yards through three games. Hunter Renfrow and the Raiders' second-round pick, Michael Mayer, have a combined four catches through three games and the Raiders are averaging 15 points a game, tied for fourth worst in the NFL.

Against the Steelers, the Raiders offense looked much like the same offense that has shown up the previous two games of the season. Las Vegas seems to ride the hot hand in their passing game, which can be both good and bad. However, after two consecutive losses, it looks to be more on the negative end of the spectrum.

The Raiders are too deep across the board on offense for Garoppolo to focus on one or two receiving threats every game. Offensive predictability has been a major issue as well, making it even tougher for Las Vegas to score points.

Compounding the issue of not scoring many points is the fact that the Raiders' offense continues to turn the ball over. Garoppolo has more interceptions than touchdowns this season.

However, the biggest problem of all for the Raiders is their lack of a running game. The Raiders are built to run the ball first and pass the ball second. The reason Las Vegas is predictable on offense is that they haven't been able to get the running game going, forcing Offensive Coordinator Mick Lombardi to become one-dimensional in his play-calling.

If the Raiders cannot find a way to get Jacobs going, whether running the ball or catching the ball out of the backfield, it will be tough for any other part of their offense to work consistently, and the result will be similar to what it has been through the first three games.

Las Vegas has spent significantly more money on its offense than the defense, a clear indication that the Raiders' front office is depending on the offense to lead this team and not the other way around.

The Silver and Black return to the road next week in Inglewood, Calif., to play the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Oct. 1, at 4:05 p.m. EDT/1:05 p.m. PDT.

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